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THE ROYAL WAY 


“Via Crucis, Via Lucis.” 





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THE HOYfib WAY 


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“VIA. CRUCIS, VIA IvUCIS.” 



By ISABEL G. EATON. 


‘‘'Ct'ux est porta paradisi 
In qua sancli sunt eonfisi. 
Qni vicerunt omnia. 

Crux est mundi medictna 
Per quam honitas divina 
Facit mirahilki.” 

Bona VENTURA. 



MILWAUKEE : 

THE YOUNG CHURCHMAN CO., 
1891. 


Copyright by 

THE YOUNG CHURCHMAN CO., 
1891. 


PUBLISHERS PREFACE. 


The following story originally appeared in the Living 
Church, under the title of “The Way of the Cross.” The 
•author has revised the story and re-written some parts of 
it ; and on account of the many commendations it received 
in the original, the publishers now present it to the 
public in book form. 




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' 1 


THE ROYAL WAY: 


“VIA CRUCIS, VIA liUCrS. ” 


CHAPTER I. 



T was a rare and golden afternoon in the 


q) month of September, 1883. The spacious 
lawn in the grounds of Mr. Henry Desmond, in 
the suburbs of the city of Atwater, was a scene of 
a merry gathering of youthful men and maidens, 
who had met to celebrate the birthday of the 
elder daughter, Ethel, in fete champetre. 

The sun was already bending low in the hor- 
izon, casting long shadows over the velvety grass 
and flower gardens. In the tennis court, a set of 
players were actively engaged with ball and 
racquet ; scattered around in pretty groups, with 
pleasant chat and laughter, were other guests, 
who revolved about a picturesque centre, namely, 
Miss Desmond, sitting under an awning and dis- 
pensing afternoon tea. 


8 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


Young maidens in white array provided 
aesthetic confections for the inner man, and the 
whole composed a Watteau-like scene of brilliant 
moving color, a harmony of grace and living 
beauty. 

The lawn sloped broadly on the west to the 
river bank beyond ; on the easterly side ran the 
street leading to the city, lined on either side with 
tall old elms, between whose arching branches 
could be seen the city’s roofs and spires, reflecting 
the rays of the slowly sinking sun. 

On one of the garden seats, placed so as to 
command a view of the length of the street, a 
young man was sitting beside a fair-haired 
maiden of nineteen years. Her merry grey eyes 
roamed restlessly over the scene around, she 
smiled absently in reply as he spoke to her, dis- 
playing two pretty dimples and a set of white, 
even teeth. It was the younger daughter of the 
house. Miss Katherine Desmond, who had left her 
sister to perform the duties of hostess alone, for 
a few moments’ chat with the young collegian, 
Richard Benson. 

The young man’s face was turned in earnest 
gaze upon his companion ; a striking face it was. 


“F7^ CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS: 


9 


pale and thin, as if from close application and an 
indoor life, with eyes deeply set under heavy, 
straight brows. They were glowing now with 
intense inward light, indicating strong feeling 
underneath the quiet exterior ; but the young 
lady saw it not. She was looking beyond him, 
through the perspective of Nature’s Gothic 
arches to where the distant spires glittered in the 
yellow sunlight. Her hands were idly playing 
with the roses in her belt, her gaze was far away ; 
and the young man, oblivious to the animated 
scene around him, saw only the fair face of the 
young girl, which reflected every mood of the 
moment, “from grave to gay, from lively to 
severe.” 

“Only a year more, and then — ” said he, 
gazing at her with an appealing glance which 
she did not see. The shouts of the tennis players 
rang out upon the air, the sounds of laughter and 
conversation fell all about them. 

“Love all !” shouted a youth from the tennis 
court, springing into place, and sending the ball 
with a swift stroke across the net. 

“ ‘Love all !’ ” echoed the young man on the 
garden seat, glancing dreamily around. “Love 


10 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


all ! I love but one, and you know who that one 
is, Kitty !” 

“Now, Richard, don’t be sentimental here,” 
hastily replied Kitty. “The robins, if no one 
else, will hear you and laugh. For my part, I am 
free to confess that I love — ice cream ! Won’t 
you come and get one ? It is getting late, and I 
have sat here too long, already. Oh see !” she 
cried, catching his arm and pointing up the 
street, “there is the cross on the spire of S. 
Mary’s ; how plainly it stands out reflecting the 
sunlight ! What an improvement it is over the 
rooster on the old church, which veered about 
with every wind of doctrine, as papa used to say ! 
And there is the rector, too, just coming down 
the street. We expected him here, to-day, but 
he declined on account of a funeral he was to 
attend. Look, Richard, you haven’t seen him 
before !” 

The young collegian looked discontentedly at 
a straight, slender flgure walking with a quick, 
light step towards them. The rector raised his 
hat, as he passed, to Miss Desmond, who smilingly 
returned his greeting. 


VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS” 


11 


“Who is he, anywa}^,” asked Richard, “and 
how long has he been here ?” 

“His name is Dutton,” answered the girl, 
glancing around at the retreating figure. “Rob- 
ert Dutton, and he has been here seven or eight 
months. Hasn’t your mother written you 
about him ? The parish called him before the 
new church was consecrated. Everyone likes 
him, I believe, and Ethel says he is ‘ritualistic.’ 
If he is, he does not offend any one. All the old 
ladies like him, and the children adore him !” 

“How about the rest of the female members 
of the parish, who are neither old ladies nor 
children ?” inquired Richard. “Are there any 
exceptions to this universal adoration ?” 

“Oh ! I don’t know,” carelessly replied the 
young lady. “I like him because there isn’t any 
nonsense about him. He treats everyone just 
alike. He isn’t spoiled by any attention he gets, 
and he isn’t a bit of a prig. Further than that, 
I have not considered the question. Come, let us 
go and get some ice cream.” 

As they rose from the garden seat, the golden 
sunlight fell with intense brilliancy upon the 
distant gilded cross surmounting the church 


12 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


-spire, and flashed its splendor directly into the 
young man’s eyes. A thrill went through his 
soul : was it a premonition ? as if a shaft of flery 
sorrow sped in a sudden moment through his 
heart. He stopped and repeated mechanically, as 
if some one suggested to him the words : 

“Via Crucis, via Lucis !” 

The words caught Kitty’s ear. 

“What is it ?” she said, lightly. 

“The Way of the Cross, the Way of Light,” 
repeated Richard, still with his eyes fixed in the 
distance. “What is The Way of the Cross,’ 
Kitty ?” 

“I don’t know,” replied Kitty. “Come, they 
will be waiting for me.” 

They turned lightly away tow^ards the com- 
pany ; the momentary pain vanished ; the cross 
'On the spire no longer flashed in the September 
;sun. But more than once during the waning 
.afternoon, light with laughter and merry conver- 
:sation, there arose to Richard’s lips the words 
suggested by the incident, “Via Crucis, via Lucis,” 
and each time, a little cloud, born of the thought, 
cast a shadow over his soul. 

But no shadow flitted over the face of the 


^^VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCISV 13 


young girl with the bright grey eyes and dimpled 
cheeks ; in her heart, that afternoon, was no 
room for carking care or hovering cloud of sor- 
row. Her laugh was the merriest, her sallies 
were the wittiest, in all the company that made 
the lawn aglow with color and life. And when 
the twilight fell, and the merry-making ended, 
and the day was gone forever from the sight of 
those who would willingly bid it stay, a gay lit- 
tle face smiled a good-night, and a warm hand 
put itself for a second into Kichard’s as he 
lingered at the gate, the last of the guests, wait- 
ing for a parting word with no one by to hear. 

“Kitty !” he whispered eagerly, “won’t you 
come out for a little walk, or are you too tired ? 
I want you just a little while before I go. 
Remember, to-morrow ” 

‘ ‘Kitty !” sounded a gentle voice from the 
open library window, “I am waiting for you to 
read me the evening paper, dear; aren’t you 
coming, soon ?” 

Richard’s face fell. “Always ‘Kitty’ to do 
something,” he muttered. “Why can’t Ethel 
read the paper to your father, this once ? I have 


14 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


hardly had a sight of you for five consecutive 
minutes, to-day.” 

“Ethel !” repeated Kitty. “She is at the top 
of the house by this time probably, in her ‘ora- 
tory,’ out of sight and hearing. Besides, she 
can’t read the paper as papa wants it read. She 
couldn’t read the shipping news, she doesn’t 
understand the abbreviations ; and she doesn’t 
know where to look for the quotations of ‘C., B., 
& Q.,’ or the ‘Big Four,’ or the Jay Gould stocks, 
or anything ! Yes, papa, I will be there in a 
moment !” she called, looking back at the window. 

‘‘But Richard, won’t you be in, to-morrow ? 
Mamma would be delighted to have you come and 
dine with us. I am going to make some frozen 
pudding with my own hands, and if you are good, 
you shall have some. Oh, I forgot ! I believe 
Mr. Dutton dines with us, to-morrow, too, and I 
would like you to meet him. You will not leave 
before to-morrow night, will you ?” 

“No,” said Richard ; “I go on the 9:20 train.” 

“Then we will expect you. I must go in now, 
papa is waiting, so good-night,” and like a flash 
she sped up the walk, followed by a brown span- 
iel dancing at her heels, leaving Richard gazing 


VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS: 


15 


after her, a disappointed look on his thin face. 

He lingered a moment at the gate, long 
enough to hear her through the window talking 
to a white-haired man sitting in an arm-chair, 
her ringing tones echoing on the still evening 
air. He heard the rustling of the paper, and 
saw the flash of the drop-light on the library 
table. At last the window was closed and the 
curtains drawn. Richard turned away with a 
shut-out feeling in his heart, and a dim convic- 
tion that Miss Katherine’s affections and interests 
were centred about the arm-chair and its occu- 
pant, to the utter exclusion of everything and 
everybody else that might exist outside the walls 
of her own home ; and that so far, she had no 
use whatever for lovers, or room in her home- 
keeping heart for them. 

“Such a darling Kitty as she is,” he mused, on 
his homeward walk, “but she is like a bird, now 
here, now there, some one always after her, but 
one might as well fall in love with a sparrow. 
What a hulla-buloo they would make there if she 
ever marries ! Ethel would have to bestir her- 
self, and think of some one besides herself, for 


16 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


once ! Kitty shall marry some day, and she 
shall marry me !” 

As this resolve formulated itself into words 
in Richard’s brain, his rapid footsteps had car- 
ried him within a short distance of S. Mary’s 
church, standing dark and silent, silhouetted 
against the evening sky. The cross surmounting 
the spire no longer flashed its gilded splendor in 
the sunset, but stood darkly outlined against the 
starry heaven ; and just above it shone brilliantly 
the superb star Sirius, which excelleth all other 
stars in glory. So bright was this king of the 
Stellar hosts, that its rays seemed to touch the 
top of the cross, like a benediction upon this 
symbol of the redemption of a sister world. 

“The Way of the Cross, the Way of Light,” 
said Richard once more to himself, lifting his eyes 
to the picture in the sky. He wondered why the 
thought kept suggesting itself to him so persis- 
tently on this particular day ; but with the reluc- 
tance of youth to cherish thoughts of future 
sorrow, he dismissed the idea from his mind. 
His soul reached out to the future as a discoverer, 
dreams of untold wealth and glory waiting only 
to be grasped by his eager and daring hand. He 


CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS. 


17 


knew others had said life was full of many 
crosses ; but what could possibly lie before him 
-that a resolute and manly hand could not over- 
come? He was determiued upon the accomplish- 
ment of one endeavor, at any rate ; and with 
thoughts full of plans for the furtherance of 
that, he walked rapidly on, and left the mute 
reminder of the thorny way still lifting its head 
meekly under the radiance of the golden stars, 
far out of sight. 




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't c? 


CHAPTER IL 


Desmond family was one of the most 
^ influential of those comprising the parish of 
S. Mary’s, in the city of Atwater. The head of 
the family had been a shipping merchant in his 
early days, but had been obliged to retire from 
active business by the gradual failure of his eye- 
sight, induced by partial paralysis of the optic 
nerve. He had acquired, however, sufficient 
fortune to live comfortably with his family in 
their mansion in the suburbs of the town. The 
care of the lawn and well-cultivated gardens gave 
Mr. Desmond nearly all the occupation possible 
to his limited eyesight. He was not strong, and 
for a year past had failed visibly, though he him- 
self would have been the last to acknowledge it. 
The family physician had enjoined freedom from 
care and worry as essential to the prolongation of 
his life, and the warding off of paralysis which 
the doctor feared. His youngest daughter, Kitty, 
was his pride and joy, his inseparable companion. 


20 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


She read to him, coaxed and cajoled him, and 
kept his mind continually on pleasant things ; 
cheerfully devoting a large share of her time and 
energies to making the time hang less heavily on 
his hands. 

Mrs. Desmond was a busy woman of society 
with a large circle of friends, and the responsi- 
bility of a great part of the parish work upon her 
shoulders. She was the president of the Woman’s 
Auxiliary; no other woman had labored so untir- 
ingly to raise funds for the total extinction of 
the church debt that had delayed its consecration. 
Hospitable, large-hearted, sympathetic, her door 
was always on the latch to her friends or to any 
one needing help. The elder daughter, Ethel, 
and the only son, Albert, a boy of fifteen, w^e wdll 
let speak for themselves as they walk, or prance, 
through the pages of our tale. 

“What ^vere you and Richard Benson mooning 
about yesterday afternoon all alone by yourselves 
in a corner?” inquired Master Albert the next 
morning at the breakfast-table, of his sister, who 
sat wdth her attention about equally divided 
between “Whisker,” a large double-pawned Maltese 
cat on one side, and the browm spaniel, “Ram 


VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS: 


21 


Lai,” named after the occult hero of Crawford’s 
“Mr. Isaacs,” and dubbed the “occult dog,” sitting 
in an expectant attitude on the opposite side. 
“He didn’t seem to be happy somehow; his face 
was as long as the moral law, and he looked at 
you as if he wanted to eat you then and there.” 

Albert possessed the usual disregard of a 
sister’s sensibilities habitual to the High School 
youth. 

“If you had attended to your tennis instead of 
watching me, you would not have played so many 
love games, perhaps,” calmly remarked Miss 
Kitty, transferring a choice morsel from her fork 
to the clutches of Whisker, evoking from the 
dog a jealous growl in consequence. “There was 
nothing the matter with Richard that I could 
see. By the way, mamma, I invited him to 
dinner to-day. I knew you would be glad to 
have him come, and I thought he might like to 
meet Mr. Dutton. He is going back to Baltimore 
to-night, you know.” 

“Oh-h !” drawled Albert, making a face. 
“The needle of that compass points directly east- 
north-east by south-west, right east-northerly, of 
course. It is as plain as the nose on your face. 


22 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


Congratulations now in order. Don’t all speak 
at once !” 

“What is he talking about ?” asked Mr. Des- 
mond innocently, addressing his spouse. “What 
sort of young man is Richard Benson going to 
make ? Is he really studious, or devoted to ath- 
letics, boat clubs, and so forth, that most young 
collegians prefer now-a-days to Latin and Greek ?” 

“Boat clubs !” repeated Albert before his 
mother could reply. “He hasn’t got muscle 
enough to row a shingle across a mud puddle 
after a shower! Oh! he’d be the stroke-oar of 
the Oxford Eight !” and the young man laughed 
at his own wit, not having much idea what the 
“Oxford Eight” really is. 

“He thinks he is so smart,” cried Kitty, “Ram 
Lai, go round and bite him ! I do think, papa, 
that Bert’s impudence is getting unbearable !” 

The dog darted off, and delivered a series of 
sharp little barks, as expressive of disapproval as 
his fat body would admit of. 

“Put that dog out !” exclaimed Mr. Desmond^ 
in disgust. “Albert, either talk sense or leave the 
table !” 

Albert thus admonished, assisted Ram Lai’s 


“FZ4 CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS” 


23 


exit from the breakfast room, and subsided into 
temporary silence. 

“I am very favorably impressed with Richard,” 
said Mrs. Desmond. “He looks like a young man 
who has burned the midnight oil at the expense 
of his physical well-being. I believe he graduates 
in another year, and I think it will be with 
honors. He knows there is much expected of 
him, and that his mother’s hopes are centred in 
him. He will be a credit to her, I know.” 

“I do think, Kitty/’ said Ethel Desmond, 
speaking for the first time, “that the invitation to 
Richard would more properly have come from 
mamma. That is the trouble with American 
girls, they take so much upon themselves !” 

“Oh, bother your proprieties, Ethel,” replied 
Kitty. “It’s nothing in the world only because 
it is ‘so English, you know.’ As long as we have 
known Richard, too ! It isn’t such a great while 
ago that he used to haul me home from school on 
his sled. I think I have got somewhere, a very 
elaborate jumping-jack that he constructed once, 
and gave me on my birthday,” and Kitty laughed, 
regardless of Ethel’s look of horror, as much as 
could be expressed in a pair of pale blue eyes, 


24 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


and a mouth whose corners turned perpetually in 
the direction of the centre of gravity. 

“I wouldn’t mention it if I were you,” she 
remarked. “Though it would be just like you to 
tell about it at the dinner-table to-day, before Mr. 
Dutton. You are apt to bring up reminiscences 
at inopportune moments !” 

“I believe you will go down to your grave a 
blighted and disappointed being, if I don’t event- 
ually do something to shock the family,” said 
Kitty. “You are always expecting it, and I 
ought surely to fulfil your expectations. So you 
had better prepare for it to-day — no time like the 
present ! There is no telling what I may do,” 
and Kitty showed her dimples in a mischievous 
smile. 

“My daughter will conduct herself as she 
always does, with good sense, and good manners,” 
interposed her father, looking fondly at his 
favorite, from under the shade that covered his 
eyes. “I never had any reason to be ashamed of 
her yet, and I think her sister w^ould do well to 
profit by the example of thoughtfulness for oth- 
ers, which she continually sets. One does not 
live entirely for herself in this world, Ethel, a 


CRUCIS, VIA LUCISV 


25 


fact which I am afraid you sometimes forget.” 

“Crushed again !” murmured Albert, his 
mouth full of omelet. 

“Thank you, papa,” said Kitty, “I have got 
one friend in the family I see. When the fairy 
prince comes along seeking the princess, I shall 
know to whom to apply for recommendations.” 

Albert suddenly burst into a laugh. 

“Do you want to know what Kit did day 
before yesterday ? Well, I’ll tell you. She went 
into Reinhart’s music store, where that young 
fellow who sings in the choir is, you know. Jack 
Furbush, and asked him if they had that new 
song called ‘So-me^-ti-me,’ pronouncing it in four 
syllables. Her face was so childlike and bland, 
that Jack never suspected anything, but after 
looking around awhile, said he thought they 
must be all out of copies, but w^ould order some 
immediately- Then my lady informed him that 
it was occasionally called ‘Sometime,’ and marched 
out, leaving him to reflect on the fact that he 
had been made a fool of. Blanche Godfrey stood 
at the door, and Jack saw them go up the street 
giggling. He didn’t mind though. He thought 


26 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


it was a first-rate joke. He never gets mad at 
trifles.” 

“How did you hear about it ?” asked Kitty, 
her face very pink. The rest of the family 
laughed, except Ethel, who looked disgusted. 

“Jack told me himself,” replied Bert, “he 
thinks you are awfully smart.” 

“Don’t you think you are getting too old to 
play such pranks ?” asked Ethel with disdain. 

“I don’t want to grow old, and I don’t mean 
to,” replied her sister. “And I mean to have a 
good time in my own way, while I am young. 
As long as I don’t disgrace the family, as you are 
always expecting, and keep out of the peniten- 
tiary, I think I might be let alone. Your ideas 
of fun consist in reading Browning and Canon 
Liddon, and burning candles in your oratory up 
stairs. I can’t understand Browning, not being 
gifted with a superior intellect, and I think 
candles in church quite enough for the average 
human being.” 

“You are my own dear daughter, and you 
shall be let alone,” said her father, taking her 
arm as they rose from the table for a stroll in the 
garden. “I do not wish the dew of youth to be 


“VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS, 


27 


brushed from my rosebud of girls, the ‘queen rose 
in the rosebud garden of girls,’ as I believe 
Tennyson says. I could not do without her, 
that is certain,” and the white-haired old man 
leaned more heavily on the strong young arm 
that guided his footsteps along the garden path, 
to the clump of sumachs that needed thinning 
out on the river bank. 

Leaving her father there to direct the 
gardener as to some needed improvements, Kitty 
flew back to the house to perform various house- 
hold tasks, not forgetting the frozen pudding, 
and the inspection of one of Ethel’s “corners” 
in the parlor. That aesthetic young lady fre- 
quently occupied her leisure time in new arrange- 
ments of household decoration, among the latest 
of which were “corners,” where she exhausted all 
her ingenuity in concocting effects of pictures, 
bric-a-brac, and soft hangings in faded colors, 
disposed in artistic combination with the furni- 
ture. 

“Seems to me I wouldn’t have that crushed 
strawberry scarf hanging so near your water 
color of Burne Jones’ cadaverous ladies,” remarked 
Kitty, surveying an “effect” with her head on one 


28 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


side. “It kills what little color there ever was in 
their countenances, and makes them look more 
consumptive than ever. I feel like offering them 
the rest of that rose leaf, half of which they ate 
for their dinners, to keep the breath of life in 
them. And I do think that latest agony in china 
that you have huddled up on the shelf there, is 
horrid. I never saw such a dreadful shade of 
green ! With these slight exceptions, your 
corner is a success, Ethel.” 

“I do wish you appreciated things that are 
really artistic,” said Ethel, crossly. “That pic- 
ture of Burne Jones’ is one of his finest. But 
you would prefer a red cheeked country girl, who 
has no soul, to such creations as this ! Look at 
the eyes of that central figure ! They are looking 
into the vista of future ages, with a gaze that is 
prophetic and inscrutable !” 

“Oh, my !” laughed Kitty, edging away, “I am 
afraid of such prophetic females. I prefer Cleo- 
patra, or Queen Louise of Prussia, or somebody 
who was alive and good-looking, and who didn’t 
have inscrutable eyes !” 


CHAPTER III. 


L^ITTY hurried away to devote herself to the 
multitudinous objects that usually engrossed 
her attention during the morning hours, and just 
as she emerged from the kitchen on her way to 
her room to dress for dinner, she met her father 
coming in from the garden. ‘T was looking for 
you, Kitty,” said he, “can you go to the bank for 
me before dinner ? I am particularly anxious to 
send to-day, before it closes. You will have time, 
will you not ?” 

“I think so, papa,” answered Kitty, hesitating, 
for she was a little tired. “It won’t take me 
long to dress, and I can get back before two 
o’clock, I am sure.” 

So she ran up. stairs to make a hasty toilette, 
glancing regretfully at a copy of “Zoroaster” 
which she had hoped to find a few moments to 
look into before dinner. But Kitty was always 
ready to do her father’s bidding — that father who 
was her best friend, and appreciated her as no one 


30 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


else did ; and it never occurred to her to be cross 
because he seldom asked any one else to do any- 
thing for him. So with a regretful glance at the 
book, she flitted away. 

Kitty was as swift and graceful in her motions 
as a bird, drawing on her gloves as she ran down 
the walk, her observant eye seeing everything 
about her as she went. She was sure to find 
something Avorth telling in her walks abroad, and 
Kitty’s “adventures” were apt to be the subject of 
conversation at the table. Bert had named her 
“Christopher Columbus,” because she made so 
many discoveries. In truth she did see things 
that most people did not observe; her eyes looked 
deeper than the outward seeming, and her heart 
Avas in touch with all that goes to make up our 
Avondrous lives of pain and joy, Avith all the varied 
chords that sound between the tAvo extremes. 
Kitty’s heart Avas large enough to hold the world, 
and Avarm enough to beat in sympathy with the 
Avoes of all creation, especially children and cats 
Avhich came under her especial patronage. So, 
to-day, after leaving the bank, she found she 
had time enough to take a roundabout direction 
home, and go through a street which Avent by the 


VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS. 


31 


name of ‘‘Rotten Row,” in which dwelt princi- 
pally the foreign population of Atwater, German 
and Irish families, with a sprinkling of the Jew- 
ish element in the lower end. A little Canadian 
French girl in her Sunday School class had been 
absent several Sundays ; and Kitty’s heart had 
been touched by the large, hungry eyes that had 
gazed up at her from under the shabby hat that 
covered a mat of yellow curls. She wondered if 
the child was sick and if she had proper care. 

“I must go and see,” thought Kitty. “Mr. 
Dutton may inquire about my scholars, and 
I don’t want to seem to neglect them.” 

So she turned in the direction of Rotten Row, 
and absorbed in her thoughts, had nearly passed 
by the entrance to an alley running out of it, 
just inside of which an object was huddled, which 
at first she did not notice. A little cry startled 
her ; she paused, and her eyes fell upon the 
object, which moved slightly and resolved itself, 
to Kitty’s astonished gaze, into an infant beautiful 
to behold, and daintily clad, lying upon a heap of 
dirty bagging, an old shawl partly thrown over 
it, and a disreputable yellow dog crouched beside 
it, as if keeping guard. 


32 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


“What upon earth,” began Kitty, looking 
first at the child, and then at the dog, who 
showed his teeth menacingly at her. 

Kitty looked contemptuously at him. 

“What a lovely baby! .1 do believe it lias 
been stolen,” and Kitty took up the child gingerly 
from its filthy environment, the dog growling 
savagely meanwhile. 

“Down, you brute !” she exclaimed, gazing 
straight into the beast’s eyes. 

No dog could withstand the steady, masterful 
look in those fearless grey eyes ; at least not this 
mean specimen of the canine race, who shrank 
back growling, but subdued. 

Kitty turned away with the baby, who 
nestled contentedly on her shoulder, sighing 
pitifully now and then, as if spent with crying. 
It was a child evidently about a year and a half 
old^ white, plump, and beautiful. The dainty 
dress was fine, and heavily embroidered; but the 
baby had no cap or outside garment on, and 
looked as if it had been transported in the twink- 
ling of an eye, in some magical way, from some 
drawing room, to this out-of-the-way purlieu. 
Kitty saw at once that it could not possibly 


VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS. 


33 


belong in such a place as Rotten Row; but how 
came it there, and why was it deserted and left in 
charge of the dog ? 

She stood, gazing in perplexity up and down 
the street, which seemed nearly deserted. No 
policeman was in sight, and only knots of ragged 
children gathered here and there, in the gutter, 
or on the dirty steps of the ramshackle tenement 
houses, were to be seen. In the distance, a 
couple of women with red, bare arms, were 
wrangling in the Irish vernacular, their voices 
sounding above the clanging of the locomotive' 
bell, which came from the railroad station, only a 
short distance off, and the noise of the incoming, 
train. It never occurred to Kitty to be afraid, in 
broad daylight, to interpose in such a situation as; 
this. Her nature was fearless as well as sympa-> 
thetic, and here was a case of lost child, which 
demanded instant attention. The circumstances 
Kitty did not stop to inquire into. §he stood on 
the corner of the street a moment, hoping to see 
the familiar blue uniform of a policeman. A 
vague idea crossed her mind of giving the child 
to him to be carried to the police station, until its 
parents should be found. But the baby began to 


34 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


clutch her collar with its little fat hands, and to 
gurgle something in baby language in her ear, 
and to ingratiate itself into her heart by other 
ways incident to sweet childhood, and she resolved 
at all hazards to take the child home, and notify 
the police afterwards of its whereabouts. Of 
course the parents would institute a search at 
once. 

“Oh dear !” sighed Kitty, “I shall be late to 
dinner, the little darling is so awfully heavy, 
bless him ! I believe he’s a boy, he is such a 
bouncer ! I’ll go over to the station and find a 
carriage to take us home. Won’t I make a sen- 
sation with my morning’s find ?” 

A hand was laid on Kitty’s shoulder, and a 
disagreeable voice startled her, as, turning her 
head, she looked into a pair of black, leering eyes, 
which threatened hers. 

“Please, Miss, I’ll trouble you for the kid as 
belongs to me. Ye’ll find it worth while to 
hand it over, and no questions asked, if you want 
to go home peaceable and quiet like,” and a pair 
of rough hands tried to seize the baby who began 
to cry with fright. 

Kitty gave one glance at the man, who was so 


VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCISr 


35 


near, that the fumes of his whiskey-laden breath 
reached her disgusted nostrils. His clothes, ill- 
fitting and foreign looking, betokened an acquaint- 
ance with the lowest haunts of Bohemia. The 
yellow dog slunk at his heels; and on the spot 
where Kitty had found the baby, stood a female, 
as unkempt and disreputable as himself, casting 
wrathful glances in Kitty’s direction. But she 
was not afraid, her blood was up, and she would 
have confronted a dozen Bohemians rather than 
give up her helpless charge. 

“The baby is not yours, you have stolen him, 
and I shall keep him until I find his parents,” she 
said boldly, looking once more down the street in 
search of a policeman. But there were none 
nearer than several blocks, where one stood calmly 
looking the other way, oblivious of her distress. 

Quick as thought, she slid from the out- 
stretched hands of the man beside her, and struck 
out in the direction of the railroad station, as fast 
as her heavy burden would permit. Both male 
and female Bohemian gave chase, followed at a 
safe distance by a crowd of small boys, street 
gamins, who always collect with such rapidity on 
such occasions ; the yellow dog bringing up the 


36 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


rear, snapping at Kitty’s flying heels. It was 
but a short distance to the station, and Kitty 
sped with desperate feet, while the child stopped 
crying from sheer fright, and clung around her 
neck, almost choking her as she ran. Twice the 
man seized her, almost dragging the baby from 
her arms ; but Kitty, escaping, she scarcely knew 
how, frantically rushed on. 

A crowd of people, seemingly excursionists, 
filled the station, and were pouring out of the 
front entrance as she approached the rear. The 
train was a long one, and upon the track outside 
stood several cars which seemed nearly empty as 
Kitty and her pursuers drew near. Quick as a 
flash, the man flung himself against her, throw- 
ing her up on the side of one of the cars, and 
pushed her along, the woman closely following, 
until the end of the car was reached. Then, 
before Kitty, breathless with running, could give 
the alarm, or cry out, she was lifted forcibly up 
the steps and thrust, baby and all, inside the door 
which was slammed to with a bang. It was 
done in a few seconds of time ; the rear end of 
the station was nearly deserted ; so that if Kitty 


^‘VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS. 


37 


could have made an outcry, there was no one 
near to hear her. 

'•Bide there, Nance,” called out the man from 
the car-steps to the woman who made as if she 
would follow. “I’ll jump with the kid before the 
train gets to the bridge beyond. If I take the 
kid now, the gal will holler bloody murder and 
wake up the bobbies. Hang round here till I 
come back, and keep shady, will yer ?” 

Kitty soon came to her senses, and found her- 
self staggering under the weight of the baby, to 
the nearest seat. She hushed his crying as well 
as her wrath would permit ; then taking him on 
her arm again, she made for the door, dashing at 
the handle which would not turn. It was held 
fast, and Kitty realized that she was a captive. 

“Let me out,” she shouted, wrathfully, but no 
answer came. She bethought herself of the 
other door, and started for that ; but, before she 
could reach it, the train slowly began to move 
through the station. In an instant the rear door 
opened, and Kitty’s dauntless heart sank as she 
saw her enemy making a rush after her. She 
made another frantic effort to reach the door and 
give the alarm. 


38 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


“Give me the kid, I say, or it’ll be the worse 
for ye !” snarled the brute, his eyes gleaming 
defiance into hers. 

But the spirit of the brave girl was roused ; 
she suddenly turned and gave her enemy a vigor- 
ous and unexpected blow in the face with her 
right hand, still managing to keep a firm hold of 
the cause of all her troubles with the other. With 
an oath he fell back against the car seat, but 
only for a second ; for before Kitty could succeed 
in reaching the door, he sprang past her and 
threw himself against it, effectually cutting off 
her retreat. 

“Oh !” thought Kitty in an agony of despera- 
tion, “what shall I do? why don’t somebody come 
into this car ? What will this wretch do next ?” 
Through the windows she saw the objects in the 
station as they passed; it was the smoking car they 
were in, and the air was heavy and stifling with 
cigar smoke, mingled with the fumes of whisky 
with which her half-drunken companion was reek- 
ing. He had evidently not calculated on the resis- 
tance which she had made, for the train, by this 
time, had got under headway and was passing 
rapidly on, Kitty knew, towards the bridge which 


^^VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS: 


39 


spanned the river. It was not a covered bridge, and 
a dim idea of being thrown from the car into the 
river by this besotted brute darted through her 
brain as she stood before him. 

It was a terrible moment for poor Kitty, alone 
in that empty car, with a baby to protect from a 
drunken scoundrel; and all this time, which 
seemed an eternity to her, but which in reality 
occupied but a few moments, no one came in to 
deliver her from her trying position. 

“You have got me into a nice fix, you have,” 
said the man, looking sharp daggers at our 
heroine, “with yer meddling with other folks’ 
business. Ye’ll not do it. again in a hurry,, I 
reckon !” 

He drew out a small revolver from his pocket, 
and held it up to Kitty’s horrified gaze as he 
spoke. The click of the weapon reached her ear 
— she made another dash for the door, and just 
then the train ran upon the bridge, slackening 
speed as it rumbled along. A sound of voices 
with laughter, was heard outside the car door, 
against which the fellow was leaning, and it 
seemed the sweetest music to Kitty’s strained 
ears. The door burst open, pushing the man to 


40 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


one side, the revolver dropped from his hand, and 
went off with a loud report. Two gentlemen 
rushed in, followed by the conductor, who in the 
next car had heard the noise. 

Relief had come at last, and not a moment 
too soon. 


CHAPTER IV. 


3 N the meantime, Mrs. Desmond and her elder 
daughter were seated in the parlor at home, 
conversing with their guests, the Rev. Robert 
Dutton, and Mr. Richard Benson, who were 
awaiting the arrival of Kitty, and the dinner 
hour, with indifference on the part of one, impa- 
tience on the part of the latter. Miss Ethel was 
dressed in a costume of pale aesthetic colors, 
matching her eyes, hair, and complexion, and 
giving her a faded appearance, as of a plant grown 
in the shade. She was all smiles and animation, 
however, as she displayed the attractions of her 
“corner” to Mr. Dutton^ who tried to look pro- 
foundly interested, while Miss Desmond dilated 
on the inscrutable optics of Burne Jones’ Sybil, 
or pointed out the artistic significance of the 
attitude of a certain figure of Lippo Lippi, or a 
Madonna of Botticelli. 

Mrs. Desmond had but an indifferent listener 
in Richard Benson, who looked out of the window 


42 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


and down the walk, oftener than was consistent 
with strict politeness, considering the fact that 
his hostess was giving him an interesting account 
of her son Albert’s proficiency in his studies, and 
his aspirations collegeward, when he should have 
graduated from the High School in Atwater. 

She also intermixed her narration with various 
incidents concerning her absent daughter, to 
which her listener certainly gave his undivided 
attention. Mrs. Desmond was ignorant of the 
extent of Richard’s attachment to Kitty, Bert’s 
remarks at the breakfast table having made no 
impression on her mind. She was somewhat 
lacking in a sense of humpr, and Bert’s nonsense 
usually fell on stony ground, as far as she was 
concerned. In fact, that unfilial youth was fond 
of asserting that his mother’s head was like the 
famous Scotchman’s, which required a surgical 
operation to get a joke into ; an assertion which 
she stoutly denied. 

“It is quite time Kitty was here,” she con- 
cluded, after relating the details of a successful 
picnic which Kitty had gotten up several months 
previously for her Sunday School class. He was 
quite ready to believe that Kitty’s scholars were 


^^VIA CRUCIS, VTA LUCIS.” 


43 


all exceedingly fond of her, and were the most 
punctual in attendance, of any class in the Sun- 
day School : that they all contended every Sun- 
day afternoon for the privilege of sitting beside 
her during the session, and so on ; but where on 
earth was the young lady in question all this 
time ? It wanted but five minutes of the dinner 
hour ; he felt very much hurt and vexed that she 
should delay her arrival home until the very last 
moment. It looked as if she were in no hurry to 
see him, and this his last opportunity to see her 
until Easter, at least. 

“Hasn’t Kitty come yet?” inquired Mr. Des- 
mond, coming into the room and interrupting a 
discussion the rector and Miss Ethel were having 
about the music to be sung in church the 
coming Christmas. 

“I am so glad that we are to have the Agnus 
Dei sung,” Ethel was saying, sweetly, beaming on 
the young clergyman with enthusiasm. “I hope 
the Bishop will not hear of it, and forbid it.” 

“I do not think the Bishop will object,” 
replied Mr. Dutton, with just a shade of annoy- 
ance in his tone. “He is a large-minded, tolerant 
man, the very reverse of narrow, and above 


44 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


controversy. It is sung in several churches in 
the diocese on holy days, and there has been no 
opposition.” 

The rector gladly turned toward Mrs. Des- 
mond, who was replying to her husband’s ques- 
tion. 

“No, Kitty has not come. I don’t see what is 
keeping her; she is usually so punctual. But if 
she is not here when the bell rings we had better 
not wait. She- may have gone on some other 
errand, which detained her longer than she 
thought, and the dinner will be spoiled by wait- 
ing.” 

“I think we had better wait for her,” said Mr. 
Desmond, decidedly, seating himself near his 
wife and Richard Benson, and entering into 
conversation. 

“Papa cannot do anything without Kitty,” 
said Ethel, aside to the rector, in a vexed tone. 
“He cannot bear to have her out of his sight. 
He thinks there is nobody left when she is away.” 

“Of course he is more dependent upon the 
tender offices of some one than if he could see as 
he once did,” replied Mr. Dutton, politely, feeling 
that he must say something. “You all must 


VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS. 


45 


have him under special charge. He is very for- 
tunate to have so many willing eyes to see for 
him.” 

Ethel did not reply to this, and a pause 
ensued, broken by the sound of the dinner bell. 

Mrs. Desmond looked at her husband. 

“Let us wait a little,” he said, uneasily. “She 
will come in a few moments, I think.” 

Five, ten, fifteen minutes passed, and still no 
Kitty. 

Mrs. Desmond and the rector made a few 
spasmodic efforts at conversation, which fell 
rather fiat. Ethel looked more vexed than ever, 
and tapped the carpet with her foot. 

Richard Benson was too hurt and disappointed 
to talk, for he concluded, with a lover’s jealous 
inconsequence, that she kept away on purpose to 
show him how^ little she cared for him. A step 
sounded on the walk ; Richard sprang to look out 
of the wdndow, and Mrs Desmond rose with a 
relieved expression, but the door opened and 
Albert walked in, awkwardly greeting the visitors. 

“Have you seen Kitty ?” asked several in a 
breath. 

‘^No,” said Albert, “I have just come from 


46 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


down town, but she wasn’t in sight when I came 
along.” 

“We must not wait any longer,” said Mrs. 
Desmond with decision, rising and leading the 
way to the dining room. “The dinner will not 
he eatable, and Nora’s heart will be broken. 
Kitty will be here by the time we are seated.” 

The others followed in silence, and the dinner 
proceeded. 

Mrs. Desmond and Ethel made praiseworthy- 
efforts at conversation, assisted by Mr. Dutton, 
who began to realize, as he never had done before, 
the very great gap which the absence of the 
sunny faced younger daughter made in the 
Desmond household. She was not so conversant 
with Boticelli and Burne Jones as Miss Ethel, 
but — Mr. Dutton did not exactly formulate in 
his mind the idea that Miss Desmond was a trifle 
shallow, and given to small enthusiasms, for he 
was not a man given to seeing the worst side of 
human nature ; but being extremely observant, 
and with strong instinctive likes and dislikes, 
which he made it a study to hold in check for 
fear of hasty judgments, intuition often pointed 
its warning finger in the presence of those who 


VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS: 


47 


were not in touch with his lofty ideas of what 
was truest and noblest in mankind, especially that 
which bowed down to the worship of self. He 
had been gradually appreciating the fact that 
Miss Kitty Desmond was the pivot upon which 
the whole household hung ; that she was her 
father’s idol and right hand ; that, though Ethel’s 
face was oftener seen at the Church service, yet 
he knew that Kitty’s filial devotion, though acted 
with no flourish of trumpets, her unselfishness in 
her relations with others, were in truth the high- 
est devotion, the real sacrifice of worship. ^^Non 
damans^ seel amans, cantat in aure Dei ” — “not 
the crying but true loving, that sings in the ear 
of God,” he thought in his inmost soul, as the 
contrast between the two sisters presented itself 
to-day. 

The pauses in conversation grew longer as the 
time wore on and Kitty did not put in an appear- 
ance. Richard found it hard work to even pre- 
tend to eat his dinner. His face plainly showed 
his disappointment and chagrin, which did not 
escape the young clergyman’s observant eyes. 
The latter exerted all his skill and tact, assisted 
by Mrs. Desmond, to engage Mr. Desmond in 


48 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


conversation upon topics which he knew would 
interest him and make him forget the anxiety 
which he too plainly showed. 

“Something has happened to Kitty,” he said, 
at last, ignoring the rector’s remark upon the 
probabilities of the nomination to the next pres- 
idency. “She never behaved in that way before. 
I can always trust Kitty to keep an appointment. 
It is very singular, to say the least.” 

“Nothing was ever known to happen in this 
town,” remarked Albert, who wanted to play the 
“funny man.” “It is barely possible that Kitty 
has broken the bank and escaped to Canada.” 

They had lingered over the dessert, Kitty’s 
frozen pudding, and the fruit, as long as possible. 
Mr. Desmond’s hand shook with nervous anxiety 
so that he could with difficulty eat his grapes. 
Mrs. Desmond kept an anxious eye upon him, 
fearing, she scarcely knew what, and secretly 
much vexed with Kitty for causing all this 
trouble and awkwardness, and wondering what 
made Richard so unsocial. She thought he 
could not be feeling well. 

As for Richard, he mentally resolved to leave 
Atwater that night without even a good-bye to 


“F/^ CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS:^ 


49 


Miss Kitty, and trouble her never again while he 
lived. He did not for a moment suppose that 
any thing had happened to her. His sore and jeal- 
ous soul only recognized the fact that she had 
invited him to dinner on the last day of his stay 
in town, and then had kept away until she 
thought he would be gone. It did not occur to 
him that Kitty was not the girl to be guilty of 
such a discourtesy ; he was in no mood to be 
reasonable, and was in consequence quite as 
unreasonable as a man in love could possibly be. 



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CHAPTER V. 


S soon as dinner was over, Albert was des- 



patched to the city, by his father, to try and 
find news of his sister. The rest of the party 
seated themselves on the piazza, which overlooked 
the fiower garden and was a perfect bower, with 
clematis and wisteria vines climbing up the pil~ 
lars and throwing fitful shadows below. It was 
a warm September afternoon ; the changing 
tints of foliage and the late droning of the crick- 
ets alone suggesting the approach of autumn. 
Only Richard’s soul was not in harmony with the 
restful quiet and repose of the rural scene around 
him. Some prophetic instinct whispered to him of 
a crisis to which all previous days had tended, of a 
struggle in which he would sink forever, or else 
rise, rounded and made strong for future 
endeavor. Why did that shining cross rise per- 
petually before his eyes — the mute symbol of the 
awful redemption of a lost world — the synonym 
of an unutterable woe, that dread reminder of 


52 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


the moment when darkness had covered the face 
of the earth like a pall, and all the heart of the* 
natural world broke into the dread lament : 
‘‘Great Pan is dead !” 

Through all his boyhood and youth, the chief 
characteristic of Richard Benson had been a 
fixedness of purpose, a devotion to the one idea 
which for the time being dominated his soul, and 
which nothing could turn away. Tf he made up 
his mind to the accomplishment of a purpose, all 
his will and energies were directed to it with a 
determination which made light of every obsta- 
cle, and nearly always succeeded in the result 
aimed at. For years he had been the school 
friend of Kitty Desmond. He was her champion 
in childish contests, her faithful ally in later 
years when they grew from childhood into youth. 
He had loved her as a boy, and his love had 
grown and increased with the years, until every 
thought of the present, every plan for the future, 
included her. She who was the light of her 
father’s eyes, was enshrined in the soul of Rich- 
ard Benson ; a heart which was joined to its idols 
and only desired to be let alone. 

As for Kitty, she had romped and played. 


VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCISV 


53 


afterwards skated and danced, with her comrade ; 
always sunny-hearted, true, and loyal. But as 
for being in love with any body but her father,, 
such an idea had not as yet entered her head.. 
Possessing a large share of that rare commodity,, 
common sense, Kitty was not romantic. She- 
had laughed when Ethel read poetry to her, that 
ought to have melted the most obdurate heart ; 
she played pranks when Ethel thought she ought 
to have been reading the “Treasury of Devotion,” 
or else learning how to do ecclesiastical embroid- 
ery. She detested Carlyle, and thought Browning 
an “incomprehensible lunatic her ideal among 
men was that eloquent orator and anti-slavery 
agitator, Wendell Phillips; among women, the 
redoubtable Queen Bess of England, who, she 
said, “was smart enough to have a mind of her 
own without being governed by a lot of men.” 

In fact, her elder sister was wont to sigh in a 
plaintive manner, and call her a “hopeless case.” 

When the Rev. Robert Dutton came to the 
parish of S. Mary’s, he was welcomed as a young 
and active unmarried clergyman usually is, with 
great enthusiasm, especially among the female 
members of the parish, who were quite ready to 


54 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


believe him a second S. Chrysostom revived in 
the nineteenth century. The various guilds and 
altar societies sprang into renewed life and vigor, 
the services were well attended. It was at the 
beginning of Lent when Mr. Dutton assumed the 
duties of the parish. The Sunday school had no 
lack of teachers. Invitations to dinner, to five 
o’clock teas, and the like, poured in upon him 
after Easter. He would have preferred to decline 
them all, as they took up so much of his time ; but 
he did not know how to refuse them. The young 
ladies thought his brown eyes were “unfathom- 
able.” If they were, they beamed upon each and 
all of them with an impartial and far-away look, 
which was highly disconcerting to all, except 
Kitty Desmond. 

That young lady, who abhorred anything 
that looked like “running after” a clergyman, did 
not know whether his eyes were brown or blue, 
and left her mother and sister to extend the 
courtesies of the family to the new incumbent : a 
duty which the latter, at least, was not slow to 
perform. It was quite remarkable how devotional 
Ethel became. A private “oratory” was fitted up 
at the top of the house, where tapers burned 


VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS: 


55 


before a beautiful picture of the Annunciation, 
by Rosetti, with crucifix and flowers and books of 
devotion, all breathing the very incense of prayer 
and holy thoughts. And, while she knelt, 
absorbed in devout meditation in her oratory, 
thoughts of the young rector’s brown eyes ming- 
ling with her silent contemplations, Kitty offered 
the sweet devotion of her young life at the shrine 
of filial duty, cheerfully doing the duty that lay 
nearest, seeking far less her own pleasure than to 
make her father happy, and lessen her mother’s 
cares. 

They had been sitting on the piazza about 
half an hour, Richard moody and silent, replying 
in monosyllables to Mr. Dutton’s efforts to engage 
him in conversation, when suddenly a carriage 
drove up to the garden gate. The driver jumped 
from his seat and opened the door, and out 
stepped Kitty Desmond. A gentleman whom no 
one on the piazza had ever seen before,, accom- 
panied her, bearing in his arms a lovely infant, 
and both came up the walk together, talking as 
they came. 

Richard gazed at them as if petrified ; the 
others, no less astonished, sat in silence as the 


56 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


pair approached, only Ethel finding voice to 
exclaim : 

“Well, if there isn’t Kitty with a man and a 
baby ; what next !” 

Kitty advanced to the piazza, smiling, and 
before speaking to any one else, she put her hand 
into her father’s, saying affectionately : 

“You did not worry about me, did you, papa ? 
I am all right ; 1 have only had a little adventure.” 
Then, turning to her mother and the others, who 
had risen, not knowing what to think, she simply 
said : 

“Mamma, Mr. Dutton, Mr. Benson, this 
gentleman is Mr. Fairchild, who has kindly 
escorted me and this baby from the town of 
Berwick, where we found ourselves rather unex- 
pectedly to-day, alone and unprotected. I am 
sorry I am late to dinner, but under the circum- 
stances, I could not very well help it. I beg 
everybody’s pardon^ especially yours, mamma.” 

She took the baby, who was fast asleep, from 
the gentleman’s arms, excusing herself, saying: 

“Mr. Fairchild will relate the particulars while 
I put the baby to bed,” and, accompanied by her 
mother, she disappeared inside. 


VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCISV 


57 


Mr. Fairchild then seated himself, and related 
the story which the reader has already been told, 
adding, as the party listened breathlessly to the 
tale : 

“I shall never forget the expression of Miss 
Desmond’s face, as my friend and I opened the 
door of the smoking car^ and saw her standing 
there, the child in her arms, confronting the 
drunken kidnapper, who had just pointed the 
revolver at her. Her eyes were blazing with 
indignation and contempt ; but she was not 
afraid. A braver girl I never saw. I am confi- 
dent she would have been shot dead, then and 
there, rather than give up the child to him. It 
was a group for a painter.” 

“My daughter was made for a heroine,” 
exclaimed Mr. Desmond, his voice shaking. 
“Though I am her father, I say that she is the 
bravest and noblest girl that ever lived. I am 
proud of her !” 

“I can readily believe it,” said Mr. Fairchild. 
“She did not seem to realize in the least that she 
had done anything heroic in defending the child. 
When the conductor and others marched off the 
man to the baggage car, she sat down and coolly 


58 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


remarked: ‘I wasn’t going to give him the baby; 
he stole him !’ The conductor put us off at the 
first stopping place ; and as my business could 
wait over till the next train, 1 offered to escort 
Miss Desmond home. The police have been 
notified, and as she insisted on bringing the child 
here, I presume the parents will call for him, 
when they are found. Miss Desmond deserves a 
medal from the society with the long name. The 
man and his wife, if the woman was his wife, 
are probably professional child stealers, who had 
dumped the baby down a moment while they ran 
into some den to fill themselves up with bad 
liquor. The baby might never have been heard 
of, or else only found by paying a heavy ransom, 
but for Miss Desmond’s rescue.” 

“Thank Grod that she came out alive !” said 
Mr. Desmond, with emotion. “I felt that some- 
thing had happened to her. She never disap- 
points me if she can help it. That brute did not 
expect such a resistance on her part it is clear, or 
he would never have been caught in that trap. 
Such villains are usually very wary.” 

“You have every occasion to thank God,” said 
Mr. Dutton, fervently. He was much moved by 


VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS. 


59 


the story he had heard, and admired the 
conduct of the fearless girl more than he dared 
to say. 

Richard Benson, all this time, sat speechless, 
a flood of remorseful emotion surging through 
his soul. Kitty had not staid away to avoid him; 
but while he was bitterly accusing her not only 
of very ill manners, but all sorts of unkind 
things she could never be guilty of, she was play- 
ing the part of heroine in what had nearly been a 
tragedy, with unconscious bravery, and all for a 
strange baby whose name even she did not know ! 
He felt humiliated, and asked himself what he 
had done to be worthy of the affection of such a 
noble girl ; why should he wear on his heart 
such a jewel of womanhood ? Her father had 
trusted and believed in her ; he, her lover, had 
doubted her in the hour of her extremity. He 
hated this stranger who had stepped in where 
he would have given his right hand to have been. 
While he was sitting here talking commonplaces, 
she had faced death and did not flinch. Rich- 
ard felt at war with himself and all the 
world. 

Mr. Desmond thanked the stranger for his 


60 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


courtesy and the trouble he had taken on his 
daughter’s behalf, expressing the hope that the 
family might see again one to whom they should 
always feel indebted. Kitty herself came out in 
a pretty white dress, with roses in her belt, and 
cheeks matching the roses in hue, thanking Mr. 
Fairchild in few words, but with eyes that spoke 
a great deal. The train was nearly due, and the 
stranger took his leave. Shortly after, Mr. Dut- 
ton, too, rose to take leave. He held out his 
hand last to Kitty, who was leaning against a 
pillar near the steps, her fair hair catching the 
sunlight as it fell through the branches of 
wisteria above her head. 

“God bless you. Miss Desmond,” he said, in a 
low voice, holding her hand a moment in his 
own. “God bless you and help you always to 
be as brave and unselfishly loyal *to the right as 
you have been to-day !” 

The words were not very much, but something 
in his tone made her look up in his face as he 
spoke. The deep brown eyes met the fearless 
grey ones — something in his held hers for a 
second like a spell. Her heart stirred, she did 


“ VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCISV 


61 


not speak, and then the young clergyman was 
gone far down the garden walk; and there was 
Richard waiting, as he had been waiting so long, 
for a word from her. 



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CHAPTER VI. 


R. DESMOND, weary with the excitement 



J ♦ of the day, went in to take his after-dinner 
nap. Ethel went into the parlor with some 
friends who had come to call, and her mother 
was attending to the sleeping child up stairs. 
Richard and Kitty were left alone on the 
piazza. 

“Richard,” said Kitty, going up to him and 
holding out her hand, “I am so sorry all this 
happened so to-day, but you do not blame me, do 
you ? I had to go to the bank on an errand for 
papa, and I thought I would just run around and 
inquire after one of my Sunday School scholars 
who had been absent, so I ” 

“My darling girl,” interrupted Richard, impetu- 
ously taking her hands into his own, “how can I 
find fault with you for being a heroine ? I only 
reproach myself, who have been sitting here 
accusing you of running away from me, and all 
the time you were in danger of your precious life! 


64 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


I am a brute, and you are the noblest girl in the 
world. I would die for you, and you know it. 
Let me go back to college to-night with your 
promise that you will marry no one but me. No 
one will ever love you as I do !” 

As he spoke the rapid and vehement words, 
Kitty drew back a little impatiently. The events 
of the day had been a trial even to her steady 
nerves, and this was more than she had looked 
for. Kitty’s Undine soul, like many another’s, 
was only waiting for the master hand to strike 
the hidden chords, and make them responsive to 
the magic touch of love ; but was Richard the 
Knight Hildebrand for Kitty ? 

Richard felt that he had spoken too soon, but 
his impetuous soul could not wait. 

‘T cannot promise what you ask,” she replied, 
taken by surprise. ‘T don’t want to marry any- 
body, at least not while papa lives. He couldn’t 
do without me, and I couldn’t do without him, 
either. Why can’t we go on just as we have 
before ? 1 don’t see any need of our getting mar- 
ried. I have always liked you as if you were my 
brother ; why do you ask for more ?” 


VIA CRUCTS, VIA LUCIS.” 


65 


Richard smiled in spite of himself at this view 
of the case. 

“I cannot live without yon, Kitty,” he said, 
simply, his deep glowing eyes pleading with her, 
“and I don’t want to be your brother. I want a 
nearer and dearer love than that. You do not 
know how I have loved you, and always shall. 
Will you ever understand ?” 

“No !” answered Kitty, sinking into a ham- 
mock that hung across a corner of the piazza. 
For she was tired — too tired with the day’s 
adventure to argue or be convinced on a subject 
she so little understood. 

“I am afraid I can’t love you in that way, 
Richard,” she said, presently, her honest soul 
refusing to temporize in so serious a matter. 
“You will find some better girl, who will, some 
day, I know. I won’t deceive you about it, but I 
can’t promise. I don’t want to marry anybody — 
that's the truth about it.” 

“I will make you change your mind, Kitty,” 
said Richard, once more catching the little hand 
that was holding on the side of the hammock. 
“My love for you will prevail in the end, I know. 
I shall not give up what I have set my whole 


66 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


heart upon. You know I never do. You shall 
love me, Kitty, whether you will or no. I can 
wait, but there will be one ending.” 

Only a desperate, rash youth, would have 
wrecked his cause by such w^ords, but Richard 
had lost his head. Kitty drew away her hand, 
and threw her head back. like a deer that has 
scented the hunter. 

^^ShallP' she repeated, meeting his eyes with 
her own defiant grey orbs^ “you shall not give me 
up, and I shall love you ! Is that the way to win 
a girl’s heart ? Not mine, I assure you !” 

In an instant Kitty was out of the hammock, 
made her lover a low bow, and retreating into the 
house, threw back over her shoulder, this parting 
shot : 

“Go find some girl who has no mind of her 
own, and make her love you. Good bye. Sir 
Richard !” 

Poor Kitty ! it had been a trying day ; for 
once her temper succumbed to the force of cir- 
cumstances. She ran up to her room, threw her- 
self on the bed, and relieved her feelings by “a 
good cry.” 


“VIA CMUCIS, VIA LUCIS: 


67 


Richard looked in the direction of Kitty’s 
retreating figure, for a few dazed moments, and 
then, crushing his hat over his eyes, strode home- 
ward, never once looking behind him to see if 
perchance the young lady had repented of her 
hasty words. 

With men of Richard’s temper, tenacity of 
purpose is united to an earnest intensity which 
enters into the smallest incident, turning an 
unpremeditated climax into a tragic ultimatum 
admitting of no appeal. A man with some 
experience with the ways of the feminine sex, 
would have trusted to time to modify the finality 
of Kitty’s decision that she would never marry, 
as well as temper her anger at his arbitrary 
words. But Richard had not entered deeply into 
the study of woman. His mind, thoughtful, 
studious, introspective, had never turned in the 
direction of the usual dalliance of youthful man 
and maid ; he had eyes for no wmman but Kitty 
Desmond. She was enshrined alone in the holy 
of holies of his soul ; by a curious law of contra- 
rieties, the practical, unpoetical, mirth-loving Kitty 
was the idol of his poetic dreams. She was the 
one mortal wdio, next to his mother, lived and 


68 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


moved in his mental vision, adorned w^ith a per- 
petual aureole. 

His affection for her had grown with his 
growth so gradually, that it did not occur to him 
that it had not been the same with her. Only 
since his latest visit home, had it dawned upon 
him that he was only one of numberless 
interests in Kitty’s life, and by no means the 
supreme one. With many men of dominant wull, 
to love a woman means to stretch out the hand 
and take possession. 

Richard had begun to see that Kitty was 
hardly the girl to be won in that Petruchio-like 
fashion, and at the bottom of his heart he loved 
her all the better in consequence. 

What desperate resolves surged through his 
brain during the walk home, only those who 
stake their all upon the die of one ambition, and 
lose, can ever understand. He had been too well 
brought up in the Church’s way to harbor 
thoughts of suicide ; but dim notions of fleeing to 
the wilds of Tartary or Thibet, to the sheep pas- 
tures of Australia, or even to Siberia with the 
Russian exiles, where Kitty would hear of his 
banishment, and send him penetential messages 


“F/4 CRUCIS, VIA LUCISR 


69 


to return, chased one another through his per- 
turbed brain. But, as he approached the house, 
and saw his mother’s gentle face at the window, 
he came to his senses, and concluded to go on 
with his college course, and bear his grief in 
silence. He was none the less determined, how- 
ever, to break Kitty’s stern resolution never to 
marry, if it was in the power of mortal man to 
do it. 

Meanwhile, Kitty, all unconscious of Rich- 
ard's state of mind, had her cry out and felt bet- 
ter after it. She bathed her red eyes (unlike 
most heroines it was very unbecoming to Kitty to 
cry) and came down to find the family in the 
parlor occupied with the little waif she 
had picked up in Rotten Row. He had had 
his nap out, and in spite of the late hour, for 
babies, was holding a reception on Mrs. Des- 
mond’s lap. They had found no clue to the 
baby’s identity, except the initials “F. G.,” which 
were engraved on a little gold pin that was 
fastened in his lace collar. The pretty child 
looked from one to the other of the strange faces 
around him, with wondering blue eyes, occasion- 
ally calling “mamma” in a beseeching tone, varied 


70 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


with the word “da-da,” which seemed to consti- 
tute his entire vocabulary. He had made friends 
with the gray cat, who graciously allowed him to 
bury his little fists in his fur, and to pull his tail, 
without making any very serious objections. 

“He is a perfectly beautiful baby, and I would 
like to have him ‘for keeps,’ ” said Kitty, stoop- 
ing to kiss his rosy face. 

“What have you been crying about ?” asked 
Ethel, “and what have you done with Richard ? 
He disappeared mysteriously without a word of 
good-bye to anybody.” 

“Nothing,” replied her sister, in answer to 
both questions. 

“My dear,” said Mrs. Desmond, “what has 
come over Richard ? I never saw him so moody 
and silent as he has been to-day. He hardly 
spoke ten words all through dinner. I think he 
must be studying too hard. It would be better 
for his health if he took more interest in out-of- 
door sports, lawn tennis or base ball, and I think 
I shall mention it to his mother.” 

Kitty was intently occupied with the baby, 
who was laughing and crowing in response to 
her caresses, and did not reply. 


VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS: 


71 


At that instant, there was a loud ring at the 
door-bell. Kitty ran into the hall with a feeling 
that the baby’s father and mother had arrived ; 
and in came a tall gentleman and a little lady 
with wild, anxious eyes, who gave one glance at 
the occupant of Mrs. Desmond’s lap. 

“Oh, my baby!” she cried, seizing him in her 
arms, and then falling on the floor in a dead 
faint. Kitty sprang to catch the child, while the 
gentleman raised his wife and carried her to a 
sofa, where she soon revived, after being deluged 
with water and cologne and everything that first 
came to hand in the excitement. Of course, there 
was a Babel of questions and explanations, and 
gradually the whole story was told. It would be 
difficult to express the gratitude and delight of 
the parents on learning the details of Kitty’s 
brave rescue of their child, while the heroine her- 
self stood with blushing cheeks wishing she could 
run away from the storm of thanks and praises 
which overwhelmed her. But the strangest part 
of the story was that the mother was no other 
than the rector’s sister, Mrs. Greyson ; she and 
her husband had stopped at Atwater on their 


72 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


way from Chicago to Boston, in order to surprise 
her brother with a flying visit. 

“We arrived here about eleven o’clock,” said 
Mrs. Greyson, in the interval of hugging and 
kissing the child, “after two days and nights of 
travel, and drove to the hotel to shake out the 
cinders, and dress before dropping in upon 
Robert. The nurse took the baby out on the 
hotel veranda while we were dressing, and then, 
I don’t know how she lost sight of him — you 
never can trust any of them — when her back was 
turned or something, the baby disappeared as if 
the earth had opened and swallowed him up. 
They must have seized him in an instant and hid 
him under a shawl to avoid detection. I don’t 
know how I have lived all these hours ; of course 
we put the police on the track at once, but Miss 
Desmond was too quick for them, it seems. How 
can I ever thank you ?” 

Here she turned her beautiful eyes, like her 
brother’s, upon Kitty, who fell in love with her 
on the spot. 

“Well, we sent for Robert,” she continued, 
after crying a little with nervous excitement, 
“and found he was away somewhere to dine ; how 


VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS:^ 


73 


strange that it should have been here ! Of course, 
when he got home he came to us, and was aston- 
ished enough to find whose baby Miss Desmond 
had found ! He has not seen Francis since he 
was a few weeks old, and would not, of course, 
have recognized him. It was all so providential ; 
Robert will be here and return with us as soon as 
he is through with evening service. Here he is 
now, I think,” and the rector stepped in through 
the open door. 

It was late when Mr. and Mrs. Greyson finally 
bore off the baby, and left the family to them- 
selves. They would have carried Kitty away 
with them if it had been possible, and were only 
satisfied with a promise that she would dine with 
them at the hotel the next day, accompanied by 
her sister Ethel, who, in her secret heart did not 
fancy much the prospect of playing second fiddle 
to her younger sister, so suddenly blossomed into 
a heroine. 

The little Francis, kept up so long beyond his 
usual bedtime, manifested a decided preference 
for the society of his brave defender, and held out 
his little hands to Kitty, as she helped his mother 
put on his cap and cloak which they had brought 


74 : 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


with them. Her heart went out to the little one 
who had led her such a dance that day ; her 
merry grey eyes were full of a soft, tender light 
when he coaxed her in his baby way to take him 
in her arms. She held him, smiling, for a few 
moments, and the light from the chandelier above 
fell upon the pair. Mr. Dutton, beholding, 
thought he never in his life had seen a fairer 
Madonna face, so pure in outline, so sweet in 
expression. 

'‘If I were an artist I would paint her so,” he 
said in his heart. "It is a face not unworthy of 
the Blessed Mother, it is so tender and so true.” 


CHAPTER VIL 


next day Mr. Desmond was very nearly ill 
^ by the excitement of the previous day, which 
had shaken his weak nerves as much as they could 
bear. Kitty, though she would have been glad of 
rest herself , devoted the entire forenoon to him, 
going through with the details of her exciting 
adventure, making light of the idea of danger 
connected, with it, and bringing into prominence 
the amusing side. Her description of the personal 
appearance of the two kidnappers was particu- 
larly graphic, raising a laugh among her inter- 
ested listeners. 

To Kitty’s great vexation and Albert’s intense 
delight, for he loved to tease his sister, the daily 
At water Gazette came out the next morning with 
a sensational paragraph with immense headlines, 
entitled “Heroic Conduct of one of our Atwater 
Young Ladies,” giving a glowing account of the 
affair^ with various embellishments and additions 
not warranted by the actual facts. Albert read it 


76 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


aloud at the breakfast table, slyly introducing 
sundry interpolations of his own to the original 
text, which, however, were detected by his 
audience. 

“Oh dear !” sighed Kitty, in disgust, “what 
shall I do ? I almost wish I had let the baby go 
on being stolen. We shall be beseiged for a 
month to come ; the whole town will come to 
inquire about it, and torment me to death ! It is 
a bore to be a heroine. I am tired of it already.” 

“I will tell you what we will do. Kit,” said 
Albert, as if struck with an idea. “I’ll stand at 
the front door and charge twenty-five cents 
admission, children half price, to see the great 
and only American heroine, now on exhibition for 
a few days only. All you will have to do will be 
to sit in the parlor and smile, while I take the 
money. We will make a fortune in no time, and 
go to Europe on the proceeds. To think I should 
live to be the brother of a heroine !” 

“Come, Bert,” said his father, who did not 
like to have Kitty teased. “You have had fun 
enough over it. I am sorry it has got into the 
paper.” 

“You don’t suppose The Gazette would let 


VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS: 


77 


such a chance as that go by, do you ? When 
anything does happen in this stupid town they 
make the most of it. I guess Kit will stand it.” 

“Oh yes,” said Kitty, cheerfully. “Any one 
who has survived living in the house with a bo}^ 
all these years, can stand a trifle more by way of 
affliction. I wonder where they got all the 
particulars. No one has been here to interview 
me. 

“There is the car-conductor,” suggested Albert. 
“Then there was the principal villain of the play. 
Perhaps he turned State’s evidence.” 

“One thing is certain,” said Kitty, with decis- 
ion. “I shall be invisible to the curiosity seekers, 
if they come here. I’ve no notion of posing as a 
heroine. Anybody would have done as I did ; 
wdiat is the use of making a fuss about it ?” 

“How about going to the hotel to dine ?” 
asked the incorrigible Bert. “You will be the 
observed of all observers there” 

“Then I won’t go,” said Kitty. “I will send 
my regrets.” 

“You have accepted their kind invitation, and 
you must go, Kitty,” said her mother, interposing. 
“Mr. and Mrs. Greyson will arrange it so that 


78 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


you will not be annoyed. They will dine in 
their private parlor, of course. They may prove 
friends that it will be a lasting pleasure to know. 
You must not disappoint them.” 

Mrs. Desmond’s worldly wisdom proved pro- 
phetic in more ways than one, as the sequel 
showed. A carriage was sent from the hotel for 
Miss Desmond and Miss Katherine Desmond, who 
forthwith were driven back to town, and received 
by their new friends with charming and unaf- 
fected hospitality, in a cosy private parlor. 

Mr. and Mrs. Greyson had travelled a great 
deal since their marriage, and mingled much with 
the society of European capitals, which gave 
them an air of well-bred ease, and impressed our 
simple country girls who were as yet young and 
untravelled. Mr. Greyson was a gentleman of 
leisure and wealth, with a taste for foreign art, 
as well as German music and philosophy. Kitty 
was impressed at once with the genial host who, 
she saw, w^as a man of thorough cultivation and 
perfect manners, and who could make one feel at 
home in a hotel parlor. Little Francis appeared 
none the worse for his escapade of the day before^ 


^‘VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS: 


79 


and toddled towards Kitty, welcoming her with 
little squeals of delight. 

“It almost seems as if he knew what you did 
for him, and loved you for it,” said his mother, to 
Kitty. “I shall not be jealous, my dear, but will 
love you too.” 

The table was laid for five; and soon Mr. 
Dutton appeared, quietly seating himself, when 
dinner was announced, next to Miss Kitty, who 
had the place of honor at her hostess’ right hand. 
Miss Ethel, to her disappointment, sat between 
her host and hostess, quite opposite the rector. 
Ethel never enjoyed very much visiting in com- 
pany with her sister. She could talk fluently on 
matters ecclesiastical, artistic, or poetic ; but 
Kitty had a way of saying original things, with 
shrewd criticisms on books or people of note, 
that found more appreciative listeners than her 
own dissertations ever did. She could not see 
why, either. In her opinion, Kitty’s smartness 
was mostly pertness, not worthy of any one’s 
serious attention. And now^ Kitty had the 
advantage of concentrating all the interest upon 
herself in her role of heroine, besides looking 
extremely pretty into the bargain. Excitement 


80 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


had given her a rich color, and a sparkle to her 
eyes. She had a pretty way of throwing her 
head back, which made Mr. Dutton think of -a 
startled deer. He took pains to draw her out in 
conversation, and found her very well posted 
upon the great questions of the day ; with opin- 
ions of her own that were neither crude nor 
school-girlish. To his surprise, she displayed a 
knowledge of foreign political events quite 
remarkable in a young girl. But Kitty was in 
the habit, as we know, of reading to her father 
the choicest gleanings from the reviews, both 
foreign and American, besides all that was worth 
reading in the newspapers. Mr. Desmond had 
been anxious that his favorite daughter should be 
interested in matters deeper than those which 
engrossed the mind of the average society girl, 
and took pains to cultivate her taste in literature, 
in her readings for his own pleasure. 

Ethel belonged to the Browning Club, which 
flourished at Atwater as well as elsewhere ; also 
to a select society that met once a week during 
the winter for a study of Greek and Italian art. 
From it she returned to distract the family with 
much learned chatter about Cimabue, Giotto, 


“VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCISV 


81 


Orcagna, and Botticelli, which nobody understood 
or cared about, for Ethel’s study of anything was 
utterly superficial. She glided over the surface 
of things, disturbing not the golden depths under- 
neath. One could not long converse with her 
without discovering that fact. For awhile it 
would seem as if the study of the old masters had 
resulted in a real appreciation and love of their 
work. But it was soon apparent, as she went on, 
that her enthusiasm was parrot-like and aroused 
no responsive feeling in the listener. Kitty, who 
hated shams, and frankly confessed that the old 
masters did not interest her, generally managed 
to turn the conversation when Ethel started upon 
that topic. She felt in her heart that her sister 
did not shine in that line, and had her 
own ideas about the “unapproachableness of 
greatness.” 

“I know it is awfully mean of me,” she con- 
fided to her father one day, “but when Ethel 
gushes about Fra Angelico and Giotto, I can’t 
help thinking about ‘fools rushing in where angels 
fear to tread.’ I know there must be something 
in the stiff ugly figures of those old artists that is 
beyond my comprehension ; but I don’t believe 


82 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


slie understands them any better than I do, 
though she pretends she does.” 

Mr. Grejson, as well as his wife, was thor- 
oughly conversant with all that was worth seeing 
in the European art galleries. He talked so well 
about the masters of art when Ethel, according 
to her invariable custom, introduced them, skil- 
fully weaving into the talk pleasant reminiscences 
connected with some of the most celebrated 
pictures, or incidents not generally known, that 
Kitty felt that he must perceive how little Ethel 
really understood the subject on Avhich she loved 
to talk, and inwardly thanked him for his tact in 
making the fact less conspicuous. 

“I noticed one peculiar effect about the Sistine 
Madonna that I think others have also observed,” 
said Mr. Dutton, who had studied in a German 
university. “The background of the painting 
seems at first only a luminous effect of cloud-like 
vapor ; but as you gaze, a cherub head peeps out 
from behind it ; another and another follow, 
until there seems to be a multitude of them clus- 
tering about the figure of the Madonna, catching 
hold of the hem of her garment as they look up 
into her face in adoring love. I was enchanted. 


VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS” 


83 


and supposed it was entirely the effect of my own 
vivid imagination, until I found I was not the 
only one who had been favored with the same 
vision.” 

“How beautiful !” exclaimed Kitty, looking up 
at Mr. Dutton with her eyes suspiciously moist. 
“How I wish I could go abroad ! I want to see 
that picture — 1 have always loved the figure of 
the Child in it.” 

“Perhaps you will, some day,” he replied, his 
eyes dwelling on her animated face longer than 
they were ever known to look at a w^oman before. 
There are many who believe that picture of Raph- 
ael’s to be miraculous — that he was not alone 
responsible for its creation. Who knows but 
that the Blessed Virgin herself with the Divine 
Child appeared to him as a model, and to give it 
the stamp of immortality ?” 

There was silence for a moment. For once 
Ethel found nothing to say — the subject was far 
beyond her. Kitty began to feel that, after all, 
the old masters were capable of containing infin- 
ite possibilities of interest. A longing suddenly 
filled her soul to enter upon the study with some 
one who knew, loved and understood them as far 


84 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


as great souls, with genius laden, can ever be 
understood by lesser minds. How delightful a 
road to traverse with such a guiding hand ! 
What rich spoils for the seeker ! 

“You must go abroad with us the next time 
we go,’’ said Mrs. Greyson to Kitty with a smile. 
“Next year, I think, we shall go to Italy, and 
spend the winter in Florence. We are on our 
way to Boston, now, for the winter, but Mr. 
Greyson cannot be contented in America more 
than six months at a time. Now, you must 
promise to accompany us. You will enjoy it, and 
we shall enjoy having you with us. Mr. Greyson 
will teach you all about the ancient as well as the 
modern masters of art.” 

Kitty sighed, and the light died out of her 
eyes. “I cannot leave papa to go anywhere,” she 
said, slowly. “He depends upon me so ; he is 
nearly blind, and I have to read to him a great 
deal, and amuse him, too. He is not strong and 
would miss me if I should go away. I am afraid 
I cannot think of it now.” 

“But your father has another daughter,” per- 
isted Mrs. Greyson, smiling at Ethel, who bit her 
lip and looked as she felt, very unamiable and 


^VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCISV 


85 


very uncomfortable. It had been anything but 
an enjoyable day to Ethel. She was thrown 
completely into the background ; not only because 
Kitty was the heroine of the occasion, but during 
the entire conversation she had realized her own 
deficiencies as never before in subjects upon which 
she flattered herself she was au fait. And now — 
it was too much ; she who could go as well as not 
was not included in this charming invitation 
which was evidentl;y seriously meant ; while it 
was apparent that Kitty could not go because 
there was no one to take her place. She could 
have cried with chagrin and mortification. And 
Mr. Dutton, for whose sake she had swallowed 
her pride and come with the heroine of the day 
to visit these strangers who only invited her out 
of politeness, was seeing her in the worst possible 
light, and evidently was interested in no one but 
Kitty. It ivas humiliating. Kitty realized per- 
fectly well the state of her sister’s feelings on 
this trying occasion, and was sincerely and 
generously sorry for her. 

“It is only a notion of papa’s,” she hastened to 
explain ; “but he thinks no one else can read to 
him or write his letters. It is only because I 


86 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


liave always done it ; and he is so weak and 
nervous, it would not do to make a change now. 
We may not always have him with us, and I 
never should forgive myself if I should leave him 
and anything happened to him.” 

The rector thought Kitty was a very remark- 
able young woman. He understood why she had 
made this last remark to shield her sister’s selfish 
position in the household, while unconsciously 
making her own filial affection plain. Here was 
a rava avis^ indeed ! 

‘'We will see about it when next year comes,” 
remarked Mr. Grey son, who was much interested 
in the young girl, and thought how delightful it 
would be to introduce this fresh and innocent 
mind to the dazzling mysteries of foreign life and 
society. “If by that time, your father thinks he 
oan spare you, we will either send or come for 
you.” 

Kitty’s speaking eyes looked the longing she 
felt to avail herself of the invitation, but she 
simply said : “Papa has not been able since we 
were children, to go away from home, so we 
have, none of us, travelled, even in our own 
country. Ethel has been to New York city and 


VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS: 


87 


to Philadelphia ; but I am a perfect rustic, ‘redol- 
ent of hayseed,’ as my brother would say, from 
head to foot !” 

“All things come to those who wait”, said Mr. 
Greyson, gaily. “You may turn out to be quite 
a globe-trotter before you die. As for me, I was 
born on the sea and have been sailing ever since. 

But all delightful things have an end, the 
afternoon sped all too quickly, linger as they 
might over coffee and nuts. It was time to say 
farewell to their entertainers, who were to leave 
that night on the fast express. For Kitty, the 
Grey sons had conceived a strong regard. They 
recognized a warm generous spirit, a noble soul, 
combined with many personal graces, in the girl 
who was as modest as she was brave. A more 
than ordinary tie would bind her to them ; they 
owed to her their child, and consequently their 
subsequent happiness. In her heart of hearts 
Mrs. Greyson concocted a scheme which she 
determined should be brought about, if feminine 
tactics could accomplish it. So she kissed the 
young girl with tears in her eyes, as she bade her 
farewell, saying ; “I shall never lose sight of you, 
my dear Miss Desmond. You must come and 


88 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


visit us, even if you do not go abroad with us 
next year. I shall depend on Robert for news of 
you, when I do not hear directly from you.” 

“What a stupid day !” Ethel exclaimed, as 
they rode home. “Mr. Greyson wanted to do all 
the talking, and his wife evidently considered 
him a second Solomon for wisdom. I think he is 
pedantic and conceited too. I wish I hadn’t 
come !” 

Kitty made no answer. She was in no mood 
for discussing what had been to her an unalloyed 
enjoyment from beginning to end. She knew 
that nothing she could say would avail to smooth 
Ethel’s ruffled self-esteem ; so she very wisely 
said nothing. 


CHAPTER VIIL 


L^ITTY’S adventure with the stolen child, 
created a great sensation in the usually quiet 
city. Friends and acquaintances innumerable 
called to talk it over and congratulate her on her 
fortunate escape, as well as on her heroic defence 
of the rector’s small nephew. Her patience, as 
well as that of the rest of the family, was severely 
tried ; to pose as a heroine was very distasteful to 
her modest soul, and she could not be made to 
see that she had done anything very much out of 
the common course. 

“Any one would have done just as I did,” 
she said, to all. “Nobody could have had the 
heart to find such a lovely baby in such a place, 
and not have rescued it. On this occasion I 
happened to be the ona to find it. Of course, I 
would not let that villain get him away from me; 
who would ?” 

Kitty’s logic was unanswerable, though most 
of her interlocutors knew that they would have 


90 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


failed to establish such a record for bravery, if 
they had been in her place. 

Mr. Desmond was fonder of his darling than 
ever, and consequently more exacting. Mrs. 
Desmond took on an added dignity in society — 
what mother would not be proud of a brave 
daughter — while Ethel could not conceal her 
jealousy of the sister whom she had always con- 
sidered her inferior in every way. 

On the following Sunday, in Morning Prayer, 
just before the General Thanksgiving, the rector 
made a slight pause, and then recited in his musi- 
cal voice, which trembled with feeling, the 
“Prayer for Peace and Deliverance from our 
enemies,” now seldom heard in these our country’s 
piping times of peace ; but every one in the 
church that morning knew why it was said. 

“0 Almighty God, who art a strong tower of 
defence unto Thy servants against the face of 
their enemies ; we yield Thee praise and thanks- 
giving for our deliverance from those great and 
apparent dangers wherewith we were encompassed. 
We acknowledge it Thy goodness that we were 
not delivered over as a prey unto them. Beseech- 
ing Thee to continue such Thy mercies toward us. 


VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCISV 


91 


that all the world ma}^ know that Thou art our 
Saviour and Mighty Deliverer, through Jesus 
Christ our Lord.” 

Kitty dropped her face into her prayer-book, 
as the grand words slowly rang out in the silence, 
followed by a hearty responsive Amen. The inci- 
dent touched her beyond words, and thrilled her 
with a deeper sense of gratitude for God’s special 
mercy to her. She received the Holy Sacrament 
in the Celebration that followed, and was una- 
ware of the benediction the rector breathed upon 
her as she received it at his hands. Then she 
went quietly homeward, her heart full of peace 
and inward joy. 

“He understands,” she mused, half aloud, as 
she opened the garden gate. 

Who understood ? Kitty did not tell the 
birds or the crickets, who were her only listeners. 
But the fact remained that during these latter 
days opening out to her so many possibilities, one 
absent soul which cherished her as the apple of 
an eye, was forgotten as completely as if he had 
not existed. 

Poor Richard ! “The moon looks on many 
brooks, the brook sees but one moon.” 


92 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


But it was not long before the recollection of 
his appealing face came in between her and her 
engrossing occupations. She was not so hard- 
hearted that she could refuse the love of a life-long 
friend without a pang for the sorrow it must 
cause, and Kitty’s resentment at his last words 
was short-lived. She thought of the years they 
had been comrades, of the countless attentions he 
had shown her when opportunity offered ; and the 
recollection that he had gone away, with only her 
angry words for a farewell, melted her heart to a 
genuine penitence. So she wrote him a kind, 
sisterly letter, telling him the household news, 
and assuring him that she did not mean to hurt 
his feelings, ending with the declaration that she 
was, as of old, his true friend and well-wisher, etc. 
Kitty, who was not much of a diplomatist, flat- 
tered herself that her epistle would act as a sort 
of court plaster for his wounded feelings ; but it 
acted upon the recipient in quite a different 
manner. Richard opened it eagerly when it was 
handed him, but after reading it, let it drop on 
the floor, and sat staring out of the window, 
looking at nothing, for a long time, his face 
wearing anything but a pleased expression. He 


VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCISV 


93 


wanted so mucli, that anything less than the 
whole was nothing worth to him, and he thought, 
in his savage mood, that he would as soon have 
Kitty for an enemy as to be assured that she was 
his true friend. For some reason, she did not 
mention the episode of the dinner with the 
Greysons, or the fact that the baby’s mother was 
the rector’s sister. He comforted himself with 
the thought that, at least, he had no rival, and 
picked up Kitty’s letter from the floor, wondering 
what course he should next pursue to bring her 
to the desired frame of mind. After much cogi- 
tation, he concluded to write her in the same 
strain, hoping that a renewed intimacy on the 
brother and sister basis would, in time, end in a 
stronger feeling on her part. In the meantime, 
he would not frighten her with any more love 
making. He could wait as Jacob did for Rachel, 
even seven years ; but he would not give up the 
hope that carried him through the weary weeks 
of study, assisted by a photograph of the damsel 
herself, which he carried always with him. He 
took it out of a hidden pocket and gazed at the 
familiar features; the frank, honest, grey eyes, 
the half-smiling mouth, hinting at possible 


94 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


mischief, the broad, fair brow, the pretty ears — 
how dear they all were, no one but himself could 
ever guess. 

So he wrote to her, carefully avoiding expres- 
sions that were too lover-like, begging her to 
write him often, of all that she thought or did ; 
and Kitty heaved a relieved sigh, and was glad 
that Richard had concluded to accept the situa- 
tion, and be once more her friend and comrade. 
She found time, in her busy days, to write as he 
desired, little dreaming how her letters were read 
and re-read, and interpreted to mean much more 
than the writer ever intended. For Kitty was 
not experienced enough to be on her guard, but 
wrote in a charmingly, straightforward style, 
about the life around her, having very little to 
conceal from any one. 

There was a little rift within the lute, how- 
ever, that was destined to widen, and put an end 
to all this harmony. 

About a week after the visit at the Greyson’s, 
Kitty was in the garden one morning, gazing rue- 
fully at the remains of what had been a brilliant 
bed of coleus plants the day before, but was now 
a victim to the nipping fingers of Jack Frosty 


^^VIA CEUCIS, VIA LUCIS. 


95 


who had walked abroad daring the night, taking 
all their glory with him. 

‘‘I did not think it would come so soon,” she 
murmured, sadly. “Oh, I wish the summer would 
last forever !” 

Whisker, the grey cat, came and sat down on 
the walk beside her, blinking in a sympathizing 
way at her regretful words. She stooped ta 
caress him. 

“And you wish it would last forever, don’t 
you. Whisker ? Then you could chase the birds, 
and squirrels and have a perpetual cat paradise. 
How lovely it would be !” 

The garden gate opened and shut, and some 
one came up the walk. Kitty was partly hidden 
by a syringa bush, and did not look up. 

“Good morning, Miss Desmond,” said a voice' 
wdiich she had learned to know. “You were not 
quite hidden by the syringa, so I took the liberty 
of calling on you. I see that Jack Frost has 
preceded me, and taken the summer with him.” 

Kitty started to her feet, and confronted the 
rector. 

“Yes,” she replied shyly, “and I am so sorry. 
Whisker and I were just wishing the summer 


96 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


would last forever. This coleus bed was such a 
beautiful spot of color yesterday, and just look at 
it now !” 

“There are other summers yet to come, just as 
beautiful,” replied the rector, “and if they were 
always with us, we should not have the pleasure 
of anticipating them. And, after all, we look 
for the summers that will be perpetual, and can 
afford to part with these.” 

At this, point. Whisker created a diversion by 
coming up and putting his great paws, muddy 
with contact with the frosty garden soil, upon the 
rector’s shining boots, and rubbed against his 
legs, purring affectionately the while. 

Kitty and Mr. Dutton laughed, the trivial 
incident putting both at their ease immediately. 

“I had forgotten what I came for,” said the 
rector, quietly taking a packet from his coat 
pocket, and placing it in her hands. 

“My sister, Mrs. Greyson, sent this to me from 
New York, to deliver to you with her love. She 
enjoined upon me the duty of seeing that you 
received it safely, and here it is.” 

Kitty took the package, which bore the ad- 
dress of Tiffany & Co., upon the wrapping, while 


CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS” 


97 


Mr. Dutton watched her face. Somehow, he had 
been much interested of late in watching Kitty’s 
face which expressed so much. 

“What can it be ?” she asked, staring at it in 
a dazed manner. 

“Suppose you open it and see,” he replied, 
smiling. “I do not know what is in it.” 

He produced his penknife and cut the strings. 
After unfolding numerous wrappings, at last 
appeared an elegant jewel case. Kitty silently 
opened it, and there appeared to her astonished 
vision, an exquisite set of pearls on their bed of 
blue velvet, the most beautiful she had ever seen. 
Accompanying them, was a little note, begging 
Kitty to accept them as a slight token of grati- 
tude and love for the service she had rendered 
them, which could never be repaid in full, and 
hoping she would wear them for little Francis’ 
sake. 

It was a complete surprise for Kitty, who 
had not thought of any reward ; and for a 
moment she stood gazing at the jewels, saying 
not a word. 

Mr. Dutton waited curiously for her to speak. 


98 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


Ethel Desmond had spied the twain from an 
up-stairs’ window, and watched them for a 
few moments, wondering if Kitty were not going 
to ask the rector in. She saw him give something 
to her sister, and watched the two standing close 
together. Her jealous soul could not endure the 
sight. Hastily catching her hat, she ran down 
stairs and into the garden, hardly knowing what 
she did. She approached the group just as Kitty 
lifted her eyes, which were suspiciously brilliant 
with the suggestion of a tear, to Mr. Dutton’s 
face. She saw the jewel case in Kitty’s hand, 
and the young clerg}/ man’s eyes intently fixed 
upon her face. 

Ethel’s passionate jealousy made her reckless. 

“Kitty Desmond !” she exclaimed, with the 
air of a tragedy queen, “I am surprised at you ! 
What would mamma say to your receiving pres- 
ents in this surreptitious manner ? Excuse me, 
Mr. Dutton,” and she bestowed a sarcastic smile 
upon the astonished rector, “will you not come 
into the house ? Mamma would be glad to see 
you, I know. I wonder I why Kitty did not ask 
you, before !” 

The rector recovered his self-possession in a 


‘^VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS: 


99 


moment. He lifted his hat to the irate young 
lady and replied, politely : 

“Thank you, Miss Desmond, but I cannot 
stop this morning. I only came as express mes- 
senger for my sister, Mrs. Greyson, and I believe 
I have fulfilled my mission. Your sister has 
done nothing that her mother would not approve 
of. Good morning !” 

And with a bow and a smile to Kitty, who 
stood transfixed, he walked away. 


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CHAPTER IX. 


ITTY stood silent a moment, as the rector’s 



footsteps died away on the garden walk. 
Her face was deadly pale. She held the jewel 
case in her hand, but her eyes, those clear, gray 
eyes that seldom had looked angrily on any 
human being, were simply terrible now with the 
fire of her hot indignation. She covered her sis- 
ter with one long, fiery glance, before which the 
weaker nature shrank as if from a blow. Ethel, 
for years, had assumed a superior air with her 
younger sister, and treated her to much petty 
nagging, which Kitty generally took no notice of ; 
but she realized now that she had gone too far in 
her interference. She felt to her inmost soul the 
power of Kitty’s just reproof. Her eyes fell, for 
once her ready tongue was silenced. She turned 
and walked away in silent shame. Then, without 
a word, for Kitty’s anger was beyond words, the 
insulted girl walked back to the house and went 


102 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


straight to her room, still holding her precious 
gift, and shut the door. 

She fell on her knees beside the bed, her 
breast heaving a sob of pain and anger. There 
was a struggle in her soul — the demon of wrath 
fought for the victory, with the angel of forgive- 
ness. 

“Oh, God, keep me from hating her ! Keep 
me from hating my sister!” She had been in- 
sulted, in the presence of one whose regard, beyond 
all others, she was learning to prize. The truth 
lay in the depth of her soul, as yet unseen, but 
she wanted the rector to think well of her 
whether any one else did or not. The blow had 
struck deep ; she had been treated as a child by 
her jealous sister. She was not a child, and not 
to be called to account in such a manner. She 
could not, would not, bear it. 

The struggle was sharp and bitter, but after a 
while, she thought remorsefully of the “Prayer 
for Peace,” which had shed peace into her soul. 
The angel of forgiveness conquered, and the 
demon of wrath folded his wings and fled away. 
He could not, for long. And an abiding place in 
the sunny soul of Kitty Desmond. 


“F/J CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS. 


103 


She stole down stairs after a while, found her 
mother, and displayed her lovely gift, explaining 
how it came, but saying nothing of Ethel’s unsis- 
terly act. 

“What shall I do with them, mamma,” she 
asked, while Mrs. Desmond inspected the jewels 
in pleased admiration. “They are too costly and 
beautiful for me to wear. I am not old enough, 
or handsome enough, either.” 

“Keep them until you are married, my dear 
child,” replied her mother, putting the delicate 
pin for the hair through Kitty’s fair braids. 
“They will be suitable for you, then. I do not 
like, myself, to see young girls wear such costly 
jewels.” 

“I shall not get married,” answered Kitty. “I 
will stay with you and papa as long as he lives. 
Then, when I am an old maid, I will go as a mis- 
sionary to China or Madagascar, or somewhere. 
I shall not want jewelry then. I can give them 
to the natives, though.” 

“You do not know what you will do,” said 
Mrs. Desmond, putting the pin back into the 
case. “You are too sensible a girl to talk that 


104 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


way. I used to make such speeches myself, but 
I married after all.” 

“That’s because it was papa who asked you,” 
said Kitty, gayly, kissing her mother’s cheek. “I 
never shall find any one as nice, bless him ! Of 
course you couldn’t refuse him !” 

After this, the Rev. Robert Dutton found Miss 
Kitty as difficult of approach as if she had been 
buried in the depths of the Sultan’s harem 
Whenever he called, which he did quite often, on 
account of Mr. Desmond’s delicate health, she 
was invisible. He had reason to suppose, several 
times, that she had fied from his coming, when he 
entered the library and found Mr. Desmond sit- 
ting with books and papers around him, which 
had evidently been hastily dropped when the bell 
rang. 

Kitty was aware that Ethel cherished a tender 
regard for the young clergyman, and as equally 
aware that her regard was not reciprocated on 
his part. She was determined not to give Ethel 
an opportunity to humiliate her as she had done 
that unlucky morning in the garden. So she 
carefully avoided all occasions of meeting the 
rector, resolving to give her sister no possible 


“FI4 CRUCIS, VIA LUCISV 


105 


chance for jealousy, if she could help it, pluming 
herself on her wisdom in so doing. 

Ethel had made no inquiries about Mrs. Grey- 
son’s gift to Kitty, though she was devoured with 
curiosity to see it. It was discussed at dinner 
time, of course, but Ethel’s mouth was shut for 
very shame. Albert slyly asked why it was not 
sent directly to Kitty instead of through the 
rector ; but no one seemed to have a reason to 
give. From that day there existed an armed 
neutrality between the sisters concerning it. 
Ethel felt that Kitty would forgive but not for- 
get the episode, which, to do her justice, she was 
heartily sorry for. She began to realize where 
her futile jealousy was carrying her ; conscience 
accused her of lip service in her following of her 
Lord and Saviour. Of what use were her “ora- 
tory,” her “Treasury of Devotion,” her frequent 
attendance on the Church services, if they did not 
teach her the golden virtues of usefulness, for- 
bearance, and humility ? She was sincerely 
sorry for having placed her sister in a trying 
position ; but, it must be confessed, more sorry 
for having presented an unlovely appearance in 
the eyes of the rector, whom she was particularly 


106 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


anxious to please. She had made a great mistake, 
the consciousness of it was mortifying in the 
extreme. What would Mr. Dutton think of her 
display of temper, her uncalled-for interference ? 
Her face grew hot as she thought of it, she would 
have given worlds to have undone the act ; but as 
for apologizing, as was her duty, to Kitty, that 
was not thought of. 

She tried to make amends by greater devotion, 
both public and private. At every week-day ser- 
vice she was to be seen lingering long at her 
devotions. If she wished thereby to win favor- 
able notice from the rector, her hope proved vain. 
He did not turn his head in her direction, and she 
felt that he thought her a hypocrite, so keen was 
her consciousness that she was one. If he wanted 
any help from any member of the parish, it was 
to others he turned rather than to her ; she could 
not but see it, and consequently was miserable 
and sick at heart. 

She noticed when the Advent season came, 
that the rector’s sermons and addresses were 
chiefly upon the importance of following the pre- 
cepts of our Lord in every act and thought. He 
dwelt at length upon the futility of outward piety 


CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS. 


107 


unless the inner life corresponded, earnestly en- 
treating each one that listened to his words, to 
search and examine the heart, that the letter of 
the Law was not being kept without the spirit, 
and that the Lord was not being crucified afresh 
by wilful going on in sin while seeming to follow 
in His footsteps. Ethel felt that he was pointing 
at her, saying, “Thou art the man !” so keen are 
the prickings of a spirit that is not at ease within 
itself. 

“Thus conscience doth make cowards of us 
all.” 

But still her pride kept her from humbling 
herself to her sister, and owning herself in the 
wrong. She would do anything else for Kitty, 
but not that. 

It was a busy autumn for our Kitty, all the 
more so, for it was evident each day that her 
father was slowly but surely failing in strength, 
requiring constant attention from some one of 
the family. The physician recommended his 
being out of doors as much as possible during the 
cool autumn days, and Kitty often drove out with 
him, through the quiet suburban roads, leading 
through patches of woodland and along the 


108 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


shores of the river. On one occasion, as Kitty 
alighted to gather some branches of brilliantly 
colored autumn leaves which attracted her atten- 
tion by the road side, Mr. Dutton came walking 
by, from a visit to a sick jDarishioner living several 
miles away. He stopped to speak to Mr. Desmond 
in the carriage. Kitty soon returned, laden with 
spoils of crimson and gold, her face aglow with the 
exercise. The rector’s face and voice expressed 
his pleasure as he greeted her, but Kitty scarcely 
glanced at him, as she made him some common- 
place answer. He took her hand to help her into 
the carriage, but she quickly withdrew it with a 
word of thanks. He silently helped her dispose 
of her load, wondering what made her so shy. 
Had he done anything to offend her ? He could 
think of nothing. 

“Cannot we make room for Mr. Dutton, in 
the carriage ?” said Mr. Desmond. “It is a long 
way to the city. He has walked several miles 
already, and must be tired. Jump in, there is 
room.” 

“No, thank you,” the rector replied, as Kitty’s 
face did not endorse the invitation. “I am not 


CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS. 


109 


tired, and the carriage is full. Good-bye, and a 
pleasant ride !” 

He lifted his hat, and Kitty looked up as they 
drove on. There was a reproachful look in the 
depths of the brown eyes that met hers. Had 
she been stiff and disagreeable to the young rector 
who was ever their kind and thoughtful friend ? 
She knew that she had been, but the memory of 
the scene in the garden made her cheeks burn 
with mortification, and prevented her from acting 
herself. Mr. Dutton gazed after the retreating 
carriage with a disappointed look, and did not 
know that Kitty’s heart was beating much faster 
than usual with that well conducted organ, and 
her eyes were full of tears. She was silent all 
the way home, and her father wondered what had 
come over her. 





CHAPTER X. 


0 the days went on, and winter came, finding 



Kitty busy with her many duties that left 
little time for indulging in fancies or dreaming 
dreams. Among her pleasant tasks, was a corres- 
pondence with her new friends, the Greysons, 
wdio were in Boston for the winter. She had 
written a pretty letter of thanks to Mrs. Greyson 
for her gift, and a great friendship had sprung up 
between the two which grew rapidly. The 
rector’s sister had taken a fancy to the baby’s 
champion, not only through gratitude, but on 
account of Kitty’s personal traits which com- 
mended themselves greatly the more she saw of 
them. She perceived in her a rare nature capable 
of developing into something noble and grand. 

“A girl who could do what she did that day, 
is capable of great things,” Mr. Greyson had 
argued in talking with his wife about Kitty. 
There certainly Avere great resources in the girl’s 
character, which only needed opportunity to bring 


112 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


them out. A few bad appreciated the fact, 
notably her father and Richard Benson. But 
Kitty was a plant that had grown like the sweet 
clover, in the home grass plat, only blossoming 
for those around her. 

Mrs. Greyson often spoke of Kitty in her 
letters to her brother, and being a woman of tact, 
knew just what to say and what to leave unsaid. 

The rector had organized a class for the young 
people of the parish to meet once a week through 
the winter in the chapel-room. There w^as to be 
a lecture on Church history, followed by a social 
half hour and ending with a short Compline 
service. The lectures proved very interesting; 
the subject- was naturally dear to the rector’s 
heart, one upon which he was anxious that all 
his flock should be well-informed, particularly 
those who taught in the Sunday School. 

“I want you all to be familiar with the history 
of the Church from apostolic times,” he had said 
in a preliminary talk the first evening of the 
class, “and particularly why the famous saying 
came to be a familiar one : Nulla ecclesia sine 
Episcopo, ‘no Church without a bishop.’ I believe 
that everyone who can intelligently give a reason 


VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS: 


113 


for the faith that is in him is a power for great 
good, as well as the means of bringing into her 
fold those that are without. Let not our trumpet 
give an uncertain sound, in pointing out to the 
stranger, or to the growing youth, the everlasting 
truth of the Church’s way.” 

The class was well attended, and great interest 
was taken in the rector’s able discourses. Ethel 
and Kitty Desmond, as well as Albert, went when 
the weather permitted, though Kitty, in order to 
give more time to her father on Sundays, felt 
obliged to give up her Sunday School class, to 
Mr. Dutton’s great regret, who sorely missed her 
from a group of turbulent spirits gathered from 
the precincts of Rotten Row. She had had a 
faculty of interesting them and keeping their 
attention while she instilled the Catechism, by 
slow degrees, into their reluctant minds. One by 
one they dropped off, until the class seemed in 
danger of total extinction. 

“I do not know how to do without you in the 
Sunday School, Miss Desmond,” said the rector, 
coming up to Kitty one evening after the lecture 
was over, and the class were discussing cake and 
coffee, and engaged in a social chat. “Your class 


114 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


simply refuse to come, now that you are not. 
there, and I fear we shall lose them all. I wish 
you would impart the secret of your management, 
to some one, or else come back to the school your- 
self. Can you not do the latter ? You are sorely 
missed.” 

The rector spoke the last words in a low voice,, 
so that no one but Kitty could hear. She- was. 
sitting a little apart from the others, and a tired 
look was in her eyes. 

“I wish I could,” she replied. “I resigned 
only because papa seemed to want me more oix 
Sundays. He is not as strong or well as he was. 
in the summer, and I feel so anxious about him.”' 

“You must do the duty that lies nearest, of 
course,” answered the rector. “But you see how 
it is. Every one wants you, and you can only be 
in one place at a time. Your father is the fortu- 
nate one, for he has the most of your time, and 
love, and care. Happy man !” 

He spoke impetuously, in a low voice, nearly- 
lost in the hum of surrounding voices. 

Some one came up and spoke to Mr. Dutton 
just then, and Kitty was spared the necessity of' 
replying. She was glad, for, to save her life, she? 


VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS. 


115 


could not have spoken. Her tongue seemed tied 
to the roof of her mouth, and her heart flattered 
in an absurd manner. She was vexed, and called 
herself a fool several times on her way home that 
night. 

The next Sunday she appeared in the Sunday 
School. Her pupils were few in number, but 
received her with great delight, and gathered 
around her with joy pictured on their faces. 
She looked for the little yellow-haired child, 
whose absence a few months before had led to her 
adventure with the baby, but she was not among 
the rest. 

“Where is little Marie Bedard ?” she inquired 
of one of the others who lived in that street. 

“She is sick,” answered the girl, putting her 
finger in her mouth with an air of imparting 
information. 

“Do you know what ails her ?” asked Kitty. 

“She has got the fever,” was the reply, “and 
she lies abed all the time and coughs. She can’t 
go to school, nor nowhere.” 

Kitty resolved to make another effort to hunt 
up the missing child, that very day, if possible. 
When the session was over Kitty was leaving the 


116 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


church, the children clinging to her, all talking 
at once, when the rector joined her. 

“I want to thank you for returning to the 
Sunday School. I felt a load roll from my 
shoulders when I saw your face to-day. I hope 
your father is better, and can spare yon Sunday 
afternoons. Somehow, it is difficult to find any 
one who can interest these children.” 

“He is some better, I think,” said Kitty. “At 
least, he told me to come if I wanted to. Mamma 
is there, of course, and there is often someone in 
to see him on Sunday afternoons. I am going 
now to see little Marie Bedard, who is sick, 
seriously, I am afraid. She has not been to 
Sunday School since September. I was going to 
incpiire after her the day I found the baby, but 
since then I have neglected going, and I must 
not put it off another day.” 

The children by this time had left them and 
gone home. The sexton was engaged in closing 
the doors. 

“I will go with you,” said the rector. “It 
may be that I can be of use. I have heard there 
was a good deal of sickness in that quarter during 


‘‘FI4 CRUGIS, VIA LUCIS: 


117 


the fall, but I did not know that any of our 
school were amon^ them.” 

They stepped out into the cool, frosty air of 
the late November. The sidewalks were carpeted 
with myriads of fallen leaves, brown, withered, 
and sere, which rustled as they walked. 

“Besides,” he continued, smiling, “I think it 
better for you to have some one for company when 
you visit that quarter of the town again. You 
might get into another ‘adventure,’ and not come 
out as successfully as you did before. I propose 
to be your defender this tiuie, if anything hap- 
pens.” 

“I am not afraid,” replied Kitty, blushing, for 
the tone in which he spoke was very caressing. 

“No, I suppose not. You have a brave spirit. 
Is there anything you are afraid of, I wonder ? 
If a man pointing a revolver at you does not 
frighten you, what would ?” 

“I think that a vision of his Satanic Majesty 
would thoroughly frighten me,” replied Kitty^ 
laughing. “I shouldn’t even have presence of 
mind to throw an inkstand at him, as Luther did.” 

“I am afraid Luther did not always defy the 
devil when he tempted him,” said the rector. 


118 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


gravely. “1£ he had, he would not have broken 
the solemn vow, taken for life, and married Cath- 
erine von Bora, who had taken similar vows. He 
might have questioned whether or not he had 
done wisely in assuming the monastic vows, but 
once taken, they should have been held sacred.” 

‘‘Do you uphold the idea of a celibate clergy ?” 
asked Kitty, who could have bitten her tongue 
out the next moment for proposing such a ques- 
tion, put on the impulse of the moment. Not 
that she cared what his opinion on the subject 
was, oh, no ; but he would think she asked for a 
purpose, and she was angry at herself for her 
stupidity. 

“Yes, in many cases,” the rector replied, hesi- 
tating a little. “But until the Church in her 
wisdom should deem it best for discipline, and 
make it a law, as the Church of Rome has done, 
it is simply a matter of opinion and choice. 
For mission work, the celibate clergy of a Broth- 
erhood are far more desirable, and more effective. 
Each clergyman must decide for himself the 
vocation for which he is best fitted.” 

To Kitty’s relief, they had now reached Rotten 
Row, and a few inquiries brought them to the 


CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS. 


119 


house where little Marie lived. They climbed a 
flight of rickety stairs, and entered a room, neat 
and clean, but destitute of comforts, and sur- 
rounded by other rooms full of noisy children and 
loud-talking women. On a little bed lay the 
child ; her yellow hair had been cut short, her 
eyes were large and sunken, her small figure was 
emaciated with disease. She lay gasping for 
breath, a red spot on each cheek, contrasting 
sharply with the paleness of her skin. Around 
the bed stood a weeping woman with two larger 
children, who seemed dazed and helpless. Two 
or three women and one man sat in the room, 
with faces expressing sympathy, but it was plain 
at a glance that no one could do much for the 
little creature so near the end of her earthly 
pilgrimage. 

Kitty and the rector approached the bed, and 
hastily made inquiries of the weeping mother, 
who told them in her broken French, that little 
Marie had had the typhoid fever, and it had left 
her weak and with a bad cough. The doctor had 
said some time ago, that there was danger of 
quick consumption ; and only that morning he 
had told them she might not live through the 


120 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


day. Yes, she was going fast — poor little Marie ! 
and the mother’s sobs broke out afresh. The 
child opened her eyes, and saw her teacher bend- 
ing over her. Kitty took the little thin hand, 
sayings remorsefully : 

“Oh, if T had only come before — I could have 
done so much to make her more comfortable ! 
Why did no one send for me ? Poor little girl, 
do you know me, your teacher ?” 

That the dying child did know her, was mani- 
fest in the look of recognition that shone in the 
great, dark eyes. The rector saw that no time 
was to he lost. He inquired if the child had 
been baptized. “Yes,” the mother said between 
her sobs. “Pere Richaud had christened her 
before they came to the states ; but ever since, she 
had been obliged to work so hard to get bread for 
the children, that she could not go to church.” 
Miss Desmond had found her, and gathered her in 
along with the other children. The rest fell 
away, but Marie had remained constant while she 
was able to go. “She had always been a good 
child, and said her prayers,” added the mother, 
sorrowfully, in her French-Canadian Patois. 

The young clergyman knelt down beside the 


m CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS. 


121 


bed, and while all voices were hushed, and the 
door shut to keep away the curious crowd outside, 
he said the Prayer for a Sick Child, and the 
De Profimdis^ that cry of stricken humanity in 
all the ages ; ending with the Commendatory 
Prayer, and that fit ending to all petitions of poor 
mortality, “0, Saviour of the world. Who, by 
Thy Cross and Precious Blood, hast redeemed us, 
save us, and help us, we humbly beseech Thee, 
0 Lord !” 

The little Marie lay quiet now, tightly clasp- 
ing Kitty’s hand. A silence fell around her 
which no one broke ; but soon the breath came 
shorter and shorter — one or two sighs— and then 
the little soul for whom our dear Lord died, was 
gathered into His garden for ever more. 



CHAPTER XL 


walked homeward in the twilight of the 
^ short November afternoon, after promising 
to send assistance to the mother, and all things 
necessary for the simple funeral. 

“To think we should have been just in time 
to see her die,” said Kitty, sorrowfully. “I ought 
to have found her before, and now it is too late ! 
I could have been of some service, they seem so 
poor and huddled up in those little rooms ! It 
has taught me a lesson. I shall look after those 
children in the future, and make Ethel help me, 
too.” 

“Please do not go down there alone, again,” 
said the rector, beseechingly. “Get your brother 
, to go with you, or somebody. It is no place for 
a lady, unattended, as you have discovered. I do 
not want you to run any risks.” 

There was a suggestion of ownership in his 
words which made Kitty rebellious at first ; but 
in a moment sent a thrill to her heart and the 


124 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


blood to her face. If Richard had said them, she 
would have laughed at the idea of being afraid. 
But, somehow, this was different ; it was Mr. 
Dutton who was clasping her hand in farewell — 
they had reached the garden gate, and it was 
quite dark now ; and he had exacted a half- 
whispered promise from Kitty that she would do 
as he wished. 

“What a fool I am !” remarked that maiden, 
as she went up the walk. “Why should he care 
whether I go alone or not ? What do I care 
w^hat he thinks about it ?” 

Nobody answered these interrogations but 
Ram Lai, who barked a welcome on the doorsteps 
to his mistress. 

Little Marie lay in her small, white casket, 
with white rosebuds in her hand on the day of 
the funeral. Mr. Dutton had spoken to several 
in the parish about the child, and everything was 
done to relieve the mother from the necessary 
expenses, and array the little form in a neat and 
fitting manner for the burial. Mrs. Desmond 
went with Kittie to the funeral, and took care 
afterwards that Mrs. Bedard had plenty of work, 
and the rest of the children were clothed properly. 


“VIA CRUGIS, VIA LUCIS: 


125 


and sent to Sunday school as well as to church. 

‘*If the R. C.’s don’t keep their straying sheep^ 
it behooves us to gather them in,” she said to the 
guild who worked for the deserving poor and 
for the increase of the Sunday <School ; and the 
Bedard family were gathered in accordingly. 

So the winter came, and Christmas was near 
at hand, and the scent of evergreens was in the 
air. 

Ethel and Kitty Desmond had worked with 
the others in the decorations for the church, 
which were on an unusually elaborate scale, as it 
was the first Christmas celebration in the new 
church. A rood screen of evergreen was con- 
structed for the chancel arch, and the ladies 
worked with willing hands, keeping the young 
men busy providing hemlock, cedar, and fir, for 
the adorning of the Lord’s temple. 

Ethel had displayed much taste in designing 
wreaths and festoons, which were arranged about 
the church and chapel rooms so artistically as to 
win much commendation from the rector. He 
was only too glad for an opportunity to praise 
the young lady who, in secret, had eaten many 
slices of humble pie during the last three months. 


126 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


and had despaired of ever obtaining any notice 
from him. His Advent lectures had sunk deep 
into the soil of Ethel’s selfish soul ; she had begun 
to realize that frequent attendance at church, and 
“long prayers,” do not constitute the whole of the 
Christian life now, any more than at the time in 
which lived the Pharisee of old. She had timidly, 
and of her own accord, volunteered to read to her 
father on Sunday afternoons, when Kitty was in 
Sunday School, and no one came in ; whereat 
Albert sarcastically observed to Kitty, in private, 
that Ethel must have “experienced religion.” 

“Any one would suppose she had none before, 
you dreadful boy,” said Kitty. 

“That’s about the size of it,” replied Bert. “If 
she had, I don’t know where she kept it. It 
wasn’t visible to the naked eye, at any rate.” 

“You had better look out for your own,” said 
Kitty, pointedly. “I never knew you to be around 
when you were of the least use to anybody. By 
the way, suppose you establish a precedent, and 
go with me next Saturday afternoon to Rotten 
Row, I want to carry something to one of my 
scholars, and I can’t go alone.” 

“Can’t go alone !” repeated her brother, raising 


VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS: 


127 


his eyebrows. “Since when have you been so- 
helpless as that ? It was in that locality that 
you won for yourself undying fame — alone, too.” 

“Don’t be so silly, Bert. I’m not afraid, but — 
well, I promised I wouldn’t go there alone. Will 
you go with me, or not ?” 

It was not a warm day, but Kitty’s face 
had taken on a roseate hue. 

“With pleasure. Mademoiselle,” said Albert,, 
striking an attitude. “But why these blushes, 
and whom did you promise not to go alone into 
that den of iniquity? Speak up, now, like a. 
good girl.” 

“Look here, Bert,” said Kitty, fixing the saucy 
youth with a steady look from her clear, grey 
eyes, “I won’t be teased, and it’s no matter whom 
I promised. Let that be an end of the matter.” 

Kitty walked off, her head in the air, leaving 
Albert quite crushed for the time being. Never- 
theless, he accompanied her on the following 
Saturday, and asked no questions. It must be 
confessed that Kitty had a way of silencing even 
a High School boy that >vas efficacious. 

It was Christmas Eve, and the finishing 
touches had been put to the decoration by the 


128 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


busy workers of S. Mary’s. The music for the 
day was to be that of Gounod’s St. Cecilia Mass, 
performed for the first time by the small, but 
well-trained, choir, who had never before 
attempted anything so difficult. But the choir 
boasted of a very promising young tenor, who 
naturally was ambitious to shine when occasion 
offered. He had been carried away by the charms 
of the tenor-solo in the Sanctus, and persuaded 
the rector to let the choir sing the entire compo- 
sition for Christmas. 

Kitty Desmond’s class now numbered about 
twelve; and among them were several excellent 
childish voices, which she took pains to bring 
forward. She taught them a number of Christ- 
mas carols to be sung at the festival on Holy 
Innocents’ day. They met to practice them at 
the house, and Mr. Desmond was much enter- 
tained in listening to their fresh, young voices, 
while Kitty played the accompanying music on 
the piano. One little girl of Jewish and German 
descent, named Rachel Mayer, had a voice like a 
lark, and Kittie waxed enthusiastic over it. 

“If you were only a boy,” she said one day, 
after Sunday School, when the child’s voice 


“ VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS. 


129 


sounded clear and true above the others, “we 
would have you in the choir. I wonder if we 
couldn’t dress you up in cassock and cotta, and 
smuggle you in !” 

“I would like to sing the Christmas music,” 
replied Rachel, eagerly. “I heard the choir 
through the door this afternoon, before school 
began. Oh, it was so pretty ! They said 'Hosanna’ 
over and over !” 

“Alas ! they don’t want little girls in the 
choir,” said, her teacher. “Perhaps in heaven 
they will not be so particular. You will have to 
wait until you get there, my dear.” 

But Kitty had an idea in her mind, and 
taught the child a beautiful little Christmas 
hymn. She had several conferences with the 
rector and the organist, the object of which was 
not yet apparent. And now Christmas Eve had 
arrived, and there was to be service instead of on 
the following evening. The altar was beautiful 
with flowers and the vesper lights, which made 
the place of His footsteps glorious who came to 
us as the Babe of Bethlehem. 

“The King’s Daughter is all glorious within/’ 
thought Kitty, as she walked up the aisle with 


130 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


Ethel and Albert. The evening was cool out- 
side, but within all warmth, and light, and glow- 
ing beauty. Soon the organ began to play a 
soft prelude, and then in the hushed, expectant 
silence, a voice rose, clear, bird-like, and sweet, 
trilling the notes of a simple but exquisite mel- 
ody : 

^ “Silent Niglit ! Holy Night ! 

All is calm, all is bright. 

Round yon Virgin Mother and Child ! 

Holy Infant, so tender and mild. 

Sleep in heavenly peace. 

“Silent Night ! Holy Night ! 

Shepherds quake at the sight — 

Glories stream from heaven afar ; 

Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia ! 

Christ, the Saviour, is born !“ 

The childish voice trembled at first, but soon 
sounded clear and full, like the notes of a wood 
lark soaring to greet the morning sun. They 
fell into the church from above like the song of 
the angels heard by the shepherds on the first 
Christmas eve. Kitty smiled delightedly behind 
her muff ; she knew who was singing the beauti- 
ful melody, and the effect was all that could be 
desired. It was little Rachel, seated aloft behind 


“ VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS” 


131 


the organ. She thought it was nearly as nice as 
singing in the choir would be, and was not afraid 
up there, out of sight, for she could have a good 
view of the choir boys as they came up the aisle 
in their white cottas, preceded by the cross- 
bearer, singing with all their might the Adeste 
Fideles, that immemorial Christmas hymn. 

Kitty sent Albert home with her after service, 
placing in her hands a pretty fur cap as a Christ- 
mas gift, and a happier little girl than Rachel 
was not to be found that night in Atwater. 

The next day dawned clear and cold, as genu- 
ine Christmas weather should be. The Desmond 
family found their gifts on their plates at the 
breakfast table, when Ethel and Albert came 
back from the first Celebration. Among those 
that fell to Kitty’s share, was a pretty enameled 
gold watch from her father which gave her more 
delight than all the others, for she had never as 
yet owned a watch. There was the usual hilarity 
incident to Christmas morn; the presents were 
discussed with many oh’s and ah’s of delight, and 
never had the white-haired father seemed better 
and stronger than to-day. 

Kitty perched herself on his knee on their 


132 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


return to the library after breakfast, and fondly 
kissed her thanks for the pretty gift. 

“Children,” said Mr. Desmond, suddenly, “I 
may not be with you on another Christmas day. 
Come and kneel down here where I can reach you 
all, and I will give you a father’s blessing. It 
may prove more to you than your gifts, after I am 
gone from your sight.” 

They looked anxiously at him ; he could not 
see their anxiety in their faces, but he felt it, for 
he said, smiling : “I am feeling well, my dears, 
it is only a notion of mine. I may outlive you 
all yet !” 

They gathered at his feet, Kitty clasping his 
knees ; they were sobered, they scarcely knew 
why, for he seemed as usual, and putting his 
hands on their heads, spoke a few words of bene- 
diction upon them. Then Kitty jumped up and 
resumed her place on his knee, softly stroking his 
white hair. 

“Stay with me always, dear papa, there is no 
one I love as well as you !” 

“You will love some one better, one of these 
days, dear child, and I am willing you should. 
But it is almost time for church, and you are to 


“F/yl CRUCrS, VIA LUC is: 


133 


take me along with you ; so run and get ready.” 

He kissed her fondly as he spoke, and yet 
Kitty was sorrowful, for a cloud seemed to have 
come over the day. 

The choir outdid themselves that day, and 
sang the glorious music, with organ and piano, as 
they never had sung before. 

The rector’s sermon was very short, and the 
Eucharistic service began, with Credo^ Kyrie and 
Sanctus of the S. Cecilia music. The young 
tenor warbled his beautiful solo, ‘‘Holy, Holy, 
Holy, Lord,” then the rest of the choir took up 
the grand refrain, sending a mighty wave of 
melody upward to the Great White Throne. 

“Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory, 

Glory be to thee, 0 Lord Most High !” 

The soul of every listener in the church 
seemed borne upward in the wonderful music of 
that Trisagion hymn. 

Mr. Desmond was kneeling with his face bent 
forward upon the rail in front, and as the notes 
of the “Hosanna” surged upward, Kitty, who 
knelt beside him, heard a peculiar noise. She 
turned and heard her father gasp, and sink heav- 
ily down upon the floor. She tried to catch him 


134 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


as he fell. A gentleman in the pew behind 
sprang to assist her, another in front, hearing the 
noise, came to raise the unconscious man, Mrs. 
Desmond, pale with fright and fear, looking on. 

They carried him from the church just as the 
last soft notes of the Trisagion died upon the air. 
“Amen — amen,” to Kitty it was like the music of 
a passing bell, the last sigh of the parting soul. 

Some one ran for a physician, while others 
lifted him into the carriage and bore him home. 
He breathed heavily, his eyes were closed ; they 
prayed it might not be death, at least on this fair 
Christmas Day when, with loving words, he had 
blessed them all. 


CHAPTER XIL 



R. DESMOND did not die, as Kitty in her 


j ^ agony feared, that day. The physician 
said it was a heavy stroke of paralysis ; he might 
rally, or linger a few days only, he could not tell. 
At any rate, he was liable to have another stroke 
at any time, and if so, he would not survive it. 
They watched over him tenderly all day, and at 
night he opened his eyes with a look of recogni- 
tion, but could not speak. 

The rector came to the stricken family and 
arrangements were made for administering the 
Holy Communion to the sick man, if he should 
recover sufficiently. The sight of Kitty’s pale, 
drawn features, went to Mr. Dutton’s soul ; he 
longed to comfort her in her sorrow and suspense. 
But he could not utter commonplaces to her, or 
the conventional words of condolence which 
sound so pitifully meagre at such times, to the 
rest of the family. He knew their sorrow was 
not without hope ; and the Christian’s hope is the 


136 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


Christian’s God, in whose hands are the issues of 
life and death. Mrs. Desmond took a hopeful 
view and assured the rector that she, with the 
physician, believed that he would partially 
recover from the shock. The next day he was 
better ; they propped him up with pillows, and 
once more Kitty knelt with the rector around a 
dying bed, while the solemn services for the Com- 
munion of the Sick were held in the darkened 
room. 

Mr. Desmond was able to receive the Holy 
Sacrament, and to signify by signs, that he joined 
in the service in spirit, though his voice was 
gone forever. He lingered for days and weeks in 
that partly conscious state, watched over by lov- 
ing eyes, and attended by hands that anticipated 
every want. But there was not strength enough 
to throw off the encroaching disease. Another 
stroke finally dashed all their hopes to the 
ground ; and at last, one cold, blustering day, in 
February, as the sun was setting, he opened his 
eyes upon the tearful faces bending over him, as 
if in a last farewell, and was gone. 

Mr. Dutton’s whole soul was engulfed in a 
great wave of sympathetic sorrow for Kitty 


‘‘VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS: 


137 


Desmond, during these and the subsequent 
weeks, when she appeared dressed all in black, 
thin and pale with anxious watching, a shadow 
of her former self. For she had scarcely been 
persuaded to leave the sick-room, or show the 
least interest in anything outside. Now, her all- 
absorbing occupation was gone ; the tide of pas- 
sionate filial affection had ebbed, leaving only the 
dull monotony of household tasks, and the 
demands of society to fill her heart and her time. 
Kitty shrank distastefully from both, as being 
stale, flat, and utterly unprofitable. She wished 
she had a mission in life — just what, had not yet 
resolved itself in her mind. 

Mrs. Desmond was strong, practical, and self- 
dependent. For years she had managed the house- 
hold and governed the children until they were 
old enough to govern themselves. She bore her 
sorrow quietly and undemonstratively. Kitty 
felt that her mother did not particularly need 
her, or any one else for that matter. That there 
was very little sympathy between her and her sis- 
ter Ethel, was more evident every day. To whom, 
then, should she turn in her loneliness, for com- 
panionship and distraction from her grief ? Kitty 


138 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


did not know of any one whose presence would be 
any help or satisfaction at this time, and she 
would not seek for what she did not want. 

Was there no one, then ? 

Many times during those sorrowful weeks had 
she been aware of the rector’s presence, kind, 
helpful, sympathetic, but never obtrusive. Deep 
in his brown eyes she saw more than a passing 
interest in her grief, and sorrow for her sorrow, 
whenever she looked at and met their tender 
gaze, full of a compassion that thrilled her heart. 
He did not weary her with condoling platitudes, 
which, though well meant, fall flat on the grief- 
laden heart that is distracted with a sudden blow. 
The sound of his voice was restful to Kitty, 
whether heard in church, as he recited the notes 
of praise and prayer, or at home, when he called 
to offer assistance, or a pastor’s counsel. She 
found herself wishing that he would come, and 
that he would stay longer when he did. 

In fact, Kitty, at this time, was in a transi- 
tion period of her hitherto uneventful life. She 
had been pulled up, so to speak, from the garden 
of her previous interests, and placed in another, 
whose maiden soil was as yet unplanted. It was 


VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS: 


139 


a golden opportunity for a lover, of which one, at 
least, was not slow to avail himself. 

Richard Benson wrote often and at length, 
during the winter, pouring out his soul in loving 
sympathy. How he longed to take her to his 
heart, and give her back a thousand fold dearer 
love than that she lost ! He would come home 
for the Easter holidays, hoping and believing 
that now she would turn to him, and give him 
love for love. He could hardly wait for the 
weeks to pass, so eager was he to come, and see, 
and conquer. 

Mrs. Greyson had also written her often, send- 
ing her magazines and papers that she thought 
would interest her. After all was over, and Kitty 
was free to go where she pleased, she invited her 
to spend a few weeks with her during Lent. 

‘‘We shall be glad to have you with us,” she 
wrote. “We are at the Brunswick, not far from 
three of the finest churches in Boston, both High 
and Low ; and in the classic neighborhood of 
Copley Square, than which nothing is more 
truly Bostonian. We are not gay, but are 
devoted to lectures, art galleries, and the Symphony 
concerts, over which Mr. G. is wild. There is so 


140 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


much to interest you ; do come. I long to see 
you and comfort you.” 

“Of course you’ll go,” said Ethel, discon- 
tentedly. “I wish she would ask me.” 

But Kitty shook her head. 

“I cannot go anywhere, now,” she only said. 
So she wrote, in answer, that perhaps she would 
think of it after Easter. 

Mrs. Greyson did not suspect what she would 
have been delighted to know ; namely, that a 
certain pair of brown eyes which looked out at 
her from every book and paper, and piece of work 
she undertook, pleaded silently, but none the less 
eloquently, for her to stay where she could 
behold their tender sympath}^ and find comfort 
therein. 

Kitty was a woman, after all, and not invul- 
nerable. But no one suspected, not even Kitty 
herself, much less the owner of the aforesaid 
eyes, that there was growing an alarming breach 
in the citadel of her heart, where no lover had 
previously been allowed to set foot. In fact, the 
garrison was on the point of unconditional sur- 
render ; but all unconsciously she went on delud- 
ing herself with the idea that no one could 


VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS. 


141 


possibly be anything to her now, and let her 
fate close in around her. 

As for the Reverend Robert Dutton, he had 
discovered on that chill November afternoon, in 
walking home from the death-bed of poor little 
Marie Bedard, when his thoughts should have 
been on more serious subjects than life and love, 
that in all the world of maidens, there was not 
one to him so fair, so womanly, so full of gener- 
erous impulses, and withal so brave and modest, 
as the one beside him, entirely unconscious of the 
conclusion to which he had come ; namely, that 
if she would not consent to bear his name and 
share his life, he should forthwith enrol himself 
among the clergymen who found the celibate 
state their supreme vocation in the service of the 
Lord. She would not be easily won ; so much 
the better. But he would wait until she of her 
own free will, could tell him that his life, his 
work and his love she would share as long as 
they both should live. 

It was love that prompted him to ask her 
promise not to go alone to Rotten Row. She was 
suddenly and irrevocably so dear and precious, 
that the thought of her going into any possible 


142 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


danger, sent an arrow of pain into his soul. He 
trembled as.he realized to what he had come, but 
it was too late to retrieve his freedom now. No 
woman had ever stirred his heart, but Kitty had 
walked in unbidden and taken possession. And 
now how should he win this untamed spirit who 
would flee at any attempt to place the gyves on 
her wrists ? He would not come “a courting.” 
Here was a girl who would have to be won by 
strategy if at all. He would wait, the way would 
open if he would be patient. 

Mr. Desmond’s death, though it was the last 
thing he would have wished for her sake, opened 
the way unexpectedly. He suddenly found him- 
self her helper and consoler in many ways, by 
virtue of his position as rector and friend. He 
would have been unselfishly glad to have done so 
in any case ; doubly so now that all his hopes 
were centred upon the girl who had lavished 
such tender devotion upon her father. How 
could she love a lover, he asked himself, if her 
heart were once awakened ! 

His life work took on a deeper sacred ness ; 
here was an incentive to greater labors, bringing 
forth more abundant fruit. What could he not 


VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS. 


143 


do “in His Name” with this brave soul for a 
helper in the days to come ? 

Kitty found infinite rest in the Lenten ser- 
vices ; the quiet of the chapel, the soothing 
influences of prayer and chant and psalms spoke 
of peace as they had never done before. She took 
up her Sunday School work once more which she 
had dropped in her father’s illness, and interested 
herself personally in her scholars, who represented 
so many nationalities. She found a music teacher 
for Rachel Mayer, who was wild to study and 
become a great singer, teaching her herself, as 
far as she knew, the rudiments of music. She 
helped Albert in his Virgil and Horace ; she was 
not so long ago a graduate from school, and was 
glad to freshen up her studies in assisting him. 
In fact, Kitty found there was plenty of work to 
do in this work-a-day world ; and in finding it 
she forgot herself and her grief, in a measure. 
She had serious thoughts of studying Greek if 
the rector would teach her. But no ; it would 
only “make talk,” she thought. Not that she 
ever cared what people said, but — well, she would 
give no one the ghost of a chance to talk. She 
would die of loneliness first. 



CHAPTER XIII. 


NE afternoon early in Holy Week, Kitty was 



present at a meeting of the Guild of S. 
Elizabeth, which met in the chapel rpom at S. 
Mary’s, 

Of course there was much talking as well as 
working going on among the young ladies, who 
were engaged in getting off a box of altar hang- 
ings, with surplice and stole for a clergyman in 
Nebraska, struggling with a church debt and a 
small salary, who needed these articles for the 
Easter festival 

“I heard this morning that there were a num- 
ber of cases of diphtheria down in Rotten Row,” 
said a tall young lady, putting a little packet of 
sachet powder among the folds of the surplice 
she was wrapping in white paper. 

“In Rotten Row !” exclaimed Kitty. “My 
class in Sunday School hail from there. Several 
were absent yesterday, but I heard nothing about 


146 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


diphtheria. I should think some one would have 
spoken to me of it, if it were true.” 

“Well, we had it from Bridget, our girl, so 
I cannot vouch for the truth of it,” was the 
reply. 

“Rachel Mayer was absent yesterday,” said 
Kitty, anxiously. “And she is always very regu- 
lar in coming.” 

“Perhaps the rector would know about it. He 
is in his study now, I think. Why don’t you go 
and ask him if he has heard anything, Kitty ?” 
and the tall young lady calmly laid her package 
in the box which was to go that night. 

Kitty hesitated, but only for a moment. She 
was anxious about little Rachel. So she ran to 
the study door and knocked, her heart beating in 
an absurd manner. “Come in !” said a voice from 
within. The rector looked up from his writing, 
and saw Kitty in her black dress standing before 
him. He started — a glad look came into his face, 
he held out his hand silently and took hers. 
There was something in his eyes that she had 
never seen there before. 

Her first impulse was to turn and flee, but her 
feet were rooted to the floor. 


CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS. 


147 


“I am glad to see you,” he said simply, still 
liolding her hand. ‘‘I was just thinking of you. 
I have some unpleasant news for you. Rachel 
Mayer is ill with diphtheria.” 

Kitty recovered her self-possession in a 
moment. 

“That is what I came to ask you about,” she 
said, withdrawing her hand from his. “Miss 
McCormick said just now that she heard there 
were cases of diphtheria in Rotten Row. Oh, I 
mil so distressed ! What can I do ? I must go 
^ind see her at once !” 

Kitty, always impulsive, did not at the 
moment in her confusion, think of the nature of 
the dread disease. The rector’s eyes were upon 
her, full of a love which she could not but see. 

“You will do nothing of the kind,” said he, in 
nn authoritive tone of voice. “You would not be 
permitted to go in, if you went. Everything will 
he done for her, and she is under the best of med- 
ical care. I heard of it last night and sent Dr. 
Woodbury there at once. She may not be very 
ill, but I will see to it that she has proper care. 
You must not go into the street at all.” 

“But your life is more valuable than mine,” 


148 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


replied Kitty, nervously, looking down at the 
table before her, “why should you expose your- 
self to contagion ?” 

“My life is not my own,” replied the rector, 
earnestly, “but His that sent me. I must do His 
work wherever it leads me. Has Rachel been 
baptized, do you know ?” 

“No,” replied Kitty, a new fear at her heart. 
He would never let her die without baptism, she 
knew. “Her father would not consent — he is a 
Jew, you know. I was hoping by and by to win 
him over. All the children in my class have 
been baptized but Rachel.” 

There was a little pause, and Kitty could hear 
the beating of her own heart. She was carried 
beyond herself — a force stronger than her own 
will pulled at her heart-strings. 

“Don’t go there and risk your life, Mr. Dut- 
ton ! If I cannot go, you must not !” 

She was appalled at her own audacity, but the 
words were spoken. 

“Is my life precious to you, Miss Desmond ?” 
The rector eagerly caught both her hands again, 
which had been nervously playing with a blotting 
pad on the table, and rose from his seat as he 


“ 7 /^ CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS: 


149 


spoke. Her fate was upon her, but Kitty rushed 
away from it like a startled deer. Full of terror 
at what she had said, she gave her lover one 
frightened, defiant look, and snatching her hands 
away, ran out of the room, into the corridor, and 
trembling and panting, stood at the door of the 
chapel room, not daring to enter in her perturbed 
condition, or to look behind her to see if she were 
pursued. 

Mr. Dutton gazed after the fiying figure a 
moment, in startled amaze ; then a smile broke 
over his face, and an expression of joy appeared 
thereon, as he remembered the look he saw in the 
flashing eyes she had turned upon him as she 
fled. 

“My own little wild bird !” 

He spoke to himself, going to the door and 
looking out into the corridor. But he only saw 
the back of Kitty’s head, and the black drapery of 
her dress, as she finally opened the door of the 
guild room and went in. The sound of girlish 
voices and laughter floated back to him through 
the open door. “Why, Kitty Desmond, you look 
as if you had seen a ghost !” 


150 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


“I have !” was Kitty’s hysterical reply. “I 
saw the ghost of myself.” 

It was the last revolt of expiring independ- 
ence, but Kitty was Kitty still. 

However, it was Holy Week, and the rector’s 
thoughts were engrossed with the duties of the 
sacred season^ and other interests were laid aside. 
In a day or two he wrote Kitty a polite note^ 
informing her that Rachel Mayer was as yet not 
dangerously ill, having the disease in a mild form, 
which would probably yield to treatment. There 
were other cases on the street, only one had as 
yet proved fatal. He would see that Rachel had 
proper attendance and care, and he hoped she 
would soon recover. 

There was not a word in the letter that might 
not have been written to her mother, but Kitty 
put it carefully away in a little perfumed box 
hidden out of sight among her treasures. Rich- 
ard’s letters were thrust carelessly into her writing 
desk, which she seldom took the trouble to lock^ 
though to be sure, no one of the family would be 
guilty of reading another’s letters. Richard was 
coming home after Easter. She had a letter that 
morning announcing the fact. She dreaded to 


“F/-4 CRUCIS, VIA LUCISV 


151 


see him — her heart shrank from the ordeal she 
felt instinctively was at hand. She could never 
care for him as she knew he wished — she could 
never tell him why. Why, indeed ? She wished 
she could be left alone in peace, and that Richard 
wanted to marry Ethel. That would simplify 
matters — for her. 

The solemn days of Holy Week came to an 
end, and Easter dawned upon a joyful worlds 
awaiting the tidings of the glad Resurrection. 
Again the Church bloomed out into light and 
beauty, and the choir sang once more the wonder- 
ful St. Cecilia music. Kitty, with her mother^ 
wept silently when the Trisagion was sung, with 
its tenor solo and grand Hosanna. They remem- 
bered the father whose ears for the last time had 
listened to those strains, and in listening were 
closed forever to earthly sound of Eucharistic 
Hymn. Perhaps his spirit was with them now^ 
offering with angels and archangels the oblation 
of the Sacred Feast, and now enjoying the “glo- 
rious liberty of the children of God.” She 
seemed to feel his presence near her, and a peace 
descended into her soul, like a benediction. 


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CHAPTER XIV. 



T was Wednesday in Easter week, and the day 


Q) was brilliant with the heralding of spring. 
The songs of birds filled the morning air ; in the 
garden the crocuses and hyacinths lifted their 
perfumed heads in the air in all the glory of their 
vernal beauty. Kitty’s pansy bed was full of the 
little, lowly, brilliant faces of which she was so 
fond — her father had loved them, too ; and this 
morning Kitty and Albert had run out to gather 
some while the dew was still upon them. 

“Old mother Nature has put on all her frills 
this morning !” exclaimed Bert, capering about 
with the dog, taking care to keep the excited 
animal off the fiower beds. “This occult beast 
would make short work of your pansies, Kit, if I 
would let him !” 

Kitty was gathering her apron full of pansies, 
and thinking how she should like to give a cluster 
of them to the rector if he would only happen to 


She half looked around to see if he 


appear. 


154 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


iniglit not be coming up the garden walk, though 
she had no reason whatever to think he would 
ever again come near her after her action of the 
week before. The gate opened — some one was 
coming, her heart beat fast as the steps approached. 
Should she run away a second time ? No, she 
would stay and give him a bouquet for an Easter 
greeting — she had so many pansies — he should 
have some of the fairest ; he had been so kind 
through all those dreary weeks. It was all she 
could give him in return. 

Bert and the dog galloped off around the 
house ; she was stooping low over the pansy bed^ 
her lap full of flowers. Some one came up behind 
her, and a hand was laid on her shoulder. Kitty 
sprang up, and turned with a smile and blush, 
and eyes lighted with a sweet, shy welcome, for 
she was in a gracious mood this spring morning. 
Richard Benson stood there before her, eager for 
the greeting she had prepared for — Mr. Dutton. 
“Oh, Richard !” she cried, her face falling percep- 
tibly in her surprise. She had not been thinking 
of him though she knew he was coming. Why 
was she surprised? Was she looking for some 
one else ? Richard’s jealous heart took the 


VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCISV 


155 


alarm — that dazzling smile was not meant for 
him, or the flowers, either. “Did yon not look 
for me ?” he said reproachfully. “I wrote you I 
should be here after Easter. You thought I was 
some one else, some one you wanted to see, Kitty. 
Who was it ?” 

But Kitty did not choose to be interrogated. 

“I was expecting no one, and I am glad to 
see you, Richard,” she said, dropping her scissors 
on the ground, and holding out her hand. She 
spoke with no enthusiasm — his words had a 
dampening effect ; something was always wrong 
with Richard. 

“Are you really glad ?” he asked entreatingly, 
picking up the scissors. “I am more than glad to 
see you. I have lived all winter on the hope of 
it ; that and your letters, Kitty. I thank you for 
those kind letters ; they have helped me through 
many lonely days.” 

Kitty softened at his words. She was not 
hard-hearted, as we know ; and she was really 
fond of Richard. But in a flash she had seen, a 
moment ago, the truth of the matter as it was. 
Her heart had been revealed to her, in a second of 
time. 


156 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


“I have been lonely, too — so lonely since papa 
died. There is no one to take his place for me. 
I am afraid I have been but poor comfort to any 
one, this winter.” 

''Poor child !” said Richard, softly. "I have 
been so sorry for you — I would have given any- 
thing to help you bear it. x4.ny thing that troubles 
you is a sorrow to me.” 

“Come and sit down on the garden seat,” 
said Kitty, turning away, “and I will tell you 
about papa — how he blessed us the morning be 
was taken ill. I think he felt he was going to 
leave us soon, and took that way of saying 
farewell.” 

They walked to the seat in the corner of the 
lawn, where they had sat together on the day of 
the garden party so many months ago. Kitty 
made bouquets of the pansies, while she talked to 
Richard of her father’s sickness and death ; and 
then she asked all about his life in college during 
the term just passed. She spoke no word of the 
rector, and the thought of him never entered 
Richard’s mind. 

“And now, Kitty,” Richard said at last, when 
there had been a pause, and they both sat silently 


VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS: 


157 


thinking, “you have nothing to keep you from 
doing as you please. You can marry, if you like ; 
you know you said you should not while your 
father lived. But that is over now. You know 
I—” 

He hesitated — not knowing how to go on. 
His feelings stifled him — he felt the ground slip- 
ping under his feet. For Kitty did not speak ; 
but looked far off to the distant hills beyond the 
river, as though she heard him not. Her face 
was unresponsive as the flowers in her hand. 

“[ can wait,” he went on, tentatively. “But 
let me hope for something in the years to come. 
I can never care for any one but you, Kitty. 
Can you not love me, too ?” 

Kitty roused herself and prepared for the 
crisis. 

“Dear Richard, it is no use. I cannot love 
you in that way — I never can. And I will never 
marry unless I do.” 

“ ‘Never’ is a long time, Kitty. Why ‘never’ ? 
There is some one else, some one you looked for 
when I came this morning. I know it — I feel it 
— who is it, Kitty ?” His voice was sharp with 
jealous pain. 


158 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


“You have no right to ask me, Richard, and 
I shall not tell you,” replied Kitty, her face 
aflame. She was too honest to deny the truth, 
but she would not have her secret torn from her 
— that precious secret, which as yet was in no 
one’s keeping. 

“I am sorry, Richard,” she continued, laying 
her hand on his arm in sympathy, even while she 
spoke the cruel words. “But what you ask is 
impossible, and what I say is final, and once for 
all.” 

There was no mistaking the decision in her 
voice. A sudden pall seemed to fall upon the 
day ; he sat stupified, speechless — the life vanished 
from his face, his listless figure. Even Kitty did 
not realize the misery of his soul that moment, 
while she pitied him with all her heart. But 
another face came in between them — the face of 
the man she loved. She could not retract her 
fateful words, even to save his heart from break- 
ing. 

A robin in the tree overhead burst into a trill 
of joyous melody, mocking the pain of the human 
soul beneath. The flowers bloomed fair in Kitty’s 
hand — what were they, what was anything to him 


VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS. 


159 


now ? He raised his dazed eyes ; there in the 
distance glistened the cross on the church spire 
as he had beheld it in this same spot months 
before^ when his hope was dawning bright and 
fair. It was as dazzlingly bright to-day ; what did 
it teach him now ? It seemed to be placed in his 
way for a purpose, a warning, a prophecy in this 
crisis of his life. 

“Via Crucis,” it seemed to say : “The cross of 
disappointment, of self-renunciation — of bitter 
loneliness, is for thee to bear forevermore.” 

“Via Lucis where was that Way, and how 
should he find it in the darkness ? The glittering 
finger of the cross pointed upward to the heavens ; 
it was there he must look to find the Way. 

The words he had often read in a little pocket 
edition of Thomas aKempis which Kitty herself 
had once given him for his birthday, hashed into 
his mind in this supreme moment of sorrow. 

“This sign, the sign of the Cross will be in 
heaven when the Lord shall come to judgment. 

“Why then, fearest thou to take up the Cross, 
through which is the way to the Kingdom ? 

“And how dost thou seek another way than 


160 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


this Royal Way, which is the Way of the Holy 
Cross ?” 

He shuddered as the realization of the full 
meaning of that Royal Way, which from the 
beginning of time was prepared for him to walk 
in, rushed over his soul. He could not speak — his 
face was deathly pale, his eyes sunken. Kitty 
was frightened — he seemed as one dead. 

“Oh, Richard !'’ she exclaimed, holding out 
her hand to him, “I would have spared you this if 
I could !” 

He took her hand in his for a moment and 
kissed it as one would kiss the face of the dead. 
Then he rose from the garden seat and said in a 
lifeless voice : “Good bye, Kitty — I shall not see 
you again. I do not blame you, I cannot force 
you to love me; but I cannot see you with — 
that other one, Kitty. Whoever he is, T hope he 
will make you happy. For the last time — Good 
bye !” 

He took her hand in his once more, and was 
gone with rapid steps down the walk, and out of 
the gate, without once looking behind him, as he 
went. Kitty had no time to speak, even if she 
could. It was better so; no words could help 


VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS: 


161 


him or comfort him in the least. He must bear 
his sorrow as all poor mortals have to bear their 
heartbreaks — alone. 


The cause of all this bitter sorrow in the heart 
of Richard Benson went back to the house, shut 
herself up in her room, and gave way to a fit of 
passionate tears ; tears of pity and grief, and a 
hundred other emotions which contended in 
Kitty’s soul at this momentous period of her 
existence. She had hitherto, as she thought, been 
sufficient in her own strength to battle with the 
exigences of her daily life with no need of man’s 
help. But what had come to pass to shake the 
ground beneath her feet ? A pair of dark brown 
eyes had wrought such havoc in her well estab- 
lished structure of self dependence, that for their 
owner’s sake she could ruthlessly break the heart 
of a life-long friend, and send him away to find 
consolation as best he might. Kitty felt like a 
wretch, and called herself one many times in that 
sorrowful hour of introspection and self-discovery ; 
and yet she knew she could not have done differ- 
ently and remained true to herself and to him. 


162 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


“What a world this is !” thought Kitty, as she 
at last bathed her face and arranged her hair to 
make herself presentable for dinner. “It is noth- 
ing but getting into trouble and out again, each 
one worse than the last ! I wish there were no 
such thing as love ! I could have gotten along 
beautifully, and so could Richard, if it wasn’t for 
that ! But now- — ” 


CHAPTER XY. 


ITTY was very serious and silent at the 



dinner table that day, so much so as to 
occasion remark among the rest of the family. 

“Why in the world didn’t Richard Benson 
come in and see us ?” asked Mrs. Desmond, in a 
wondering tone. “Bert said he saw him sitting 
with you in the garden. I waited a long time, 
and then 1 saw he had disappeared. He has for- 
gotten his manners of late.” 

“He is a regular Jack-in-the-box now-a-days,” 
remarked the son and heir of the family. “Now 
you see him, and now you don’t. I guess he 
must have popped the question and Kit refused 
him ; for when I saw him he looked so glum and 
tragical that I thought he must be going to shoot 
somebody. Did you make way with him^ Sis, 
and bury him in the garden ?” 

Kitty was in no mood for jesting, and did not 
deign to reply. She tried to finish her dinner in 
silence, not knowing what to say. She could not 


164 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


talk o£ the matter before that teasing boy who 
iid not know how near he came to the truth in 
his joking. 

“Kitty seems to have a great many secrets of 
late,” remarked Ethel, whose jealousy had made 
her sharp-sighted. 

“I think she has as many as two love affairs 
going on all at once — hence these tears !” 

“Love affairs!” repeated Mrs. Desmond. 
“Kitty ? What do you mean, Ethel ?” 

“I mean what I say,” repeated Ethel, calmly. 
“Kitty is sly, like Joey Bagstock, and does not 
tell all she is up to. There is where she has the 
advantage of us.” 

Mrs. Desmond looked from one to the other 
of the two girls, and seeing Kitty’s exasperated 
face, abruptly changed the subject, heading off 
Albert’s merciless teasing, and Ethel’s sneers. 
After dinner was ovpr, she motioned Kitty into 
her room, and shut the door. 

“My dear daughter,” she began, seeing the 
reluctance in Kitty’s manner ; “I do not wish to 
force your confidence, but I should like to know 
if there is any truth in anything that Ethel and 
Albert have just said. If so, I think your mother 


‘‘VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCISr 


165 


ought to know it. What is the matter with 
Richard, Kitty ? Why did he come to see you 
to-da}^, and go away without a word to the rest of 
us ?” 

Kitty turned her truthful eyes upon her 
mother. “He asked me to marry him, mamma, 
but I could not. I told him it was impossible, 
and he went away.” 

“But, Kitty, what is the matter with Richard? 
He is promising. You have known him all youJ* 
life. Why cannot you marry him ?” 

“Because I don’t love him ; isn’t that reason 
enough ?” said poor Kitty, driven to bay. 

“Yes ; but there is no reason that I can see 
why you shouldn’t love him,” pursued her mother. 
“Is there any one else whom you do love ?” and 
Mrs. Desmond fixed a penetrating eye upon her 
daughter, who thought she had been catechized 
enough. 

“I will think the matter over, mamma, and let 
you know,” she said, making a little face, and 
sliding off through the door, leaving her mother 
more mystified than ever. Clearly, there was no 
other way but to let the young lady alone, and let 
matters develop as they would. 


166 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


That same evening, Miss Kitty, restless as one 
with an uneasy conscience, stepped oat upon the 
verandah, just as the Paschal full moon, rising 
through the trees in the garden, was flooding the 
landscape with its golden radiance. The air was 
warm, almost summer like, as April days some- 
times are, putting out advance guards of the sea- 
son, and deluding the world into supposing that 
summer is already here. Kitty leaned her hot 
head against a pillar, and like Maud Muller, “a 
nameless longing filled her breast though, 
unlike that rural heroine of the poem, that long- 
ing took no shape in words, even in her heart 
of hearts where it lay hidden. 

Ethel was trilling a love song in the parlor ; 
the music floated out upon the still air, and 
grated harshly upon Kitty’s ears. She felt out of 
tune with everything — what had come over her ? 

“When twilight gray steals o’er the heather, 

In rain or shine, whate’er the weather, 

My heart keeps tryst with thee,” 

sang Ethel from within in shrill tones, with a 
loud bang upon the notes of the piano to empha- 
size the sentiment of the words. Then Kitty 
knew for what she was looking and hoping. 


“ VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS. 


167 


The garden gate opened suddenly, and a quick, 
manly step sounded on the walk. It could not be 
Richard this time — she knew that step to which 
her heart kept time. He was coming to give her 
his Easter greeting. 

Robert Dutton did not see her in the darkness, 
until he came up the steps and confronted her 
standing there motionless as if waiting. He 
caught her hands in his, and this time she did not 
resist. 

“I came to tell you that little Rachel Ma 3 ^er is 
out of danger,” he said, after a pause in which 
each could hear the beating of the other’s heart. 
“She is so much better that it will not be long 
before she is out again. So we will wait and 
hope for her baptism by and by.” 

“I am very glad,” Kitty only said. She could 
not talk, she was too happy. 

“But that is not all that I came for,” he went 
on, in a half whisper ; “1 have a favor to ask, so 
great that I almost fear to hope that it will be 
granted. I want you, Kitty ; I want for my 
very own, the bravest, sweetest woman in the 
world. Do not run away from me this time, you 
know that I love you, tell me that you will be my 


168 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


wife, my soul’s helper, my love and my all !” 

Kitty gasped — her independence vanished into 
the night. 

“Can you not love me, my darling ?” pleaded 
her lover, eagerly. 

“I am afraid I do love you !” she whispered, 
and down went the proud head upon his shoulder. 

The doom of her womanhood had come upon 
Kitty Desmond — of love and of self-surrender. 

They sat a long time in a secluded corner of 
the verandah, while Ethel, as if in sympathy with 
the silent symphony without, softly played the 
immortal “Spring Song” of the Lieder Ohne 
Worte within. Happily for her peace of mind, 
she knew nothing of the little idyl of the spring 
which was being enacted wdth sweet endearing 
words and happy kisses by the absorbed lovers, 
who heeded not the sympathetic benediction of 
the Easter moon, or anything else l)ut each other, 
in that hour which comes but once in all the world. 

The sorrowing lover of the morning, over 
whose heart a pall had fallen, was forgotten — no 
cross lay visible in the sunny path of happy love 
for these favored ones of earth. And so it is ever 
in this our checkered life ; for one, the cup of woe 


“VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS” 


169 


overflows its bitter draught, for another, the 
brilliant wing of an archangel sweeps by with the 
fragrant blossoms of heaven as a bestowal. Only 
the Giver of all gifts knows the secret of their 
distribution, the justice and the compensation 
for it all. 

At last Kitty rose and took her lover’s hand. 
*‘Come, let us go and tell mamma ; it is her place 
to know, and she will be glad.” 

They went into the house, and softly opened 
the library door. Mrs. Desmond was reading by 
the drop-light, and Albert, with a large Latin lex- 
icon on his lap, was studying the immortal history 
of pious iEenas, and the love of the Carthagenian 
queen. Hand in hand, Robert and Kitty walked 
in, and stood before the astonished mother, who 
looked up, dropping her glasses to behold the 
smiling pair. 

“I have brought you. the answer to your ques- 
tion of this morning, mamma,” said Kitty, her 
happy face glowing rosy red. “I do love another 
man, and this is he ! We are all ready to be for- 
given, and ask your blessing !” 

“My dear children !” was all the mother could 
say, through her tears of joy. 


170 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


^^0! Amor! quid non mortalia pectorci cogh” 
(0 Love! what dost thou not impel mortal hearts 
to do) read the young student of Virgil in a stage 
whisper, holding the book up before his face, and 
grimacing with the usual scorn of callow youth 
for happy lovers, as they turned to leave the room. 
‘‘Here’s larks ! Who would have thought it of 
Kitty, though!” 


Two years later, on a fair June afternoon, 
Mrs. Robert Dutton and her sister-in-law, Mrs. 
Greyson, with little Francis, now a chubby golden- 
haired boy of four, were sitting on the verandah 
of the new rectory of S. Mary’s. The child had 
plucked a handful of clover blossoms, and pre- 
sented them to his beloved auntie, who adored 
him and applauded everything he did. 

“Thank you, pretty one,” said Kitty, taking 
the offered nosegay with a kiss. “But there are 
papa and Uncle Robert coming up the street. Go 
and meet them, dear, and bring them home.” 
Francis ran down the walk, to be caught in his 
uncle’s arms and brought hack, a captive, by his 
sunny curls. The gentlemen seated themselves 


^^VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS. 


171 


on the piazza chairs, and enjoyed the cooling 
shades while their wives regaled them with a 
basket of ripe cherries which Mrs. Desmond had 
sent over from the home garden. 

The two years just passed had done much for 
Kitty Desmond, now a bride of six months. She 
had wished for awhile to keep their engagement a 
secret from the public ; and the Greysons de- 
lighted with the denouement of their hopes, had 
captured Kitty, and carried her to Europe with 
them for the ensuing winter. It was a year of 
rare enjoyment and rapid expansion for the girl ; 
she returned with an added grace — a finer quality 
of her simple frank womanliness which charmed 
anew her lover. She seemed to develop and blos- 
som out like a many-petaled rose ; but still merry 
and gay in her fair and gracious womanhood. At 
Christmas-tide there had been a quiet wedding in 
the church, with the Bishop to give them the 
nuptial benediction. A pretty rectory had been 
built, and all the parish met at the house-warming 
to congratulate the happy pair and wish them 
God-speed. 

“By the way,” said Robert, suddenly, turning 
to his fair wife who was gazing at him with eyes 


172 


THE ROYAL WAY. 


of love, “I have heard to-day from your old friend 
Eichard Benson. The Bishop tells me that he is 
about to study for Holy Orders, with the intention 
of devoting himself to mission work probably in 
some celibate order. The Bishop says he gives 
promise of great ability.” 

‘T am so glad,” said Kitty softly. ‘T am 
thankful he has found his vocation. I always 
thought he would accomplish great things. It is 
better so.” 

“What is ‘better,’ dear one,” asked Robert 
later, when they were alone together. “Why did 
young Benson keep away from the sight of you 
all these months, and you used to be such friends? 
He did not even come to our wedding. Did yjou 
send him away — and for me ?” 

“ Tf Shakespeare loved me, and I did not love 
him, I could not marry him,’” was Kitty’s low 
reply. “I loved you, as you know. It was the 
‘way of the cross’ for him, but he has found it 
the ‘way of light.’” 


THE END. 


THE THREE VOCATIONS 


By Charlotte Frances Little. 


A Church Novel of 250 pages, replete in 
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